TAIF, Saudi Arabia — At least 23 people were injured, including three critically, after a major malfunction on an amusement park ride at Green Mountain Park in Taif, Mecca province, on July 31, 2025.
Ride’s Central Pole Snaps Mid-Air
The incident involved the ride known as “360 Degrees,” a pendulum-style attraction where riders are strapped into seats on a rotating platform swinging back and forth.
As the ride reached the top of one of its swings, the central supporting pole suddenly cracked and snapped in half, sending the platform plunging violently to the ground.
Footage circulating on social media shows riders screaming as they fall, while the pole recoiled violently, causing additional impacts. Despite the fall, safety harnesses appeared intact, and riders remained strapped in.
Injuries and Emergency Response
Local authorities confirmed 23 injured, with three in critical condition. Eyewitnesses reported that the rapid recoil of the broken pole caused some injuries beyond the fall itself.
Park Closed Pending Investigation
Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, governor of the region, ordered the immediate closure of Green Mountain Park as officials launched an investigation into the cause of the failure.
Similar Ride Incidents Globally
Green Mountain Park’s malfunction is not an isolated case:
- In April 2025, a 13-year-old boy suffered multiple fractures after slipping from a similar pendulum ride in Batu, Indonesia.
- The same month, a woman was killed in Delhi after falling from a chair swing ride whose structure broke mid-swing.
- Recently, Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio faced malfunctions on its “Siren’s Curse” ride, with riders stuck multiple times.
