An amusement park in Saudi Arabia was shut down after a ride collapsed and injured at least 23 people, local media reported.
The “360 Big Pendulum,” located in the Al Hada district of Taif, a popular mountain resort city in western Saudi Arabia, snapped and crashed violently while in operation during the evening of July 30, the Khaleej Times and state-owned Arab News reported.
Video footage of the accident, circulating widely on social media, shows the fully occupied ride swinging in a large arc before experiencing a structural failure in its central column, prompting it to split horizontally while in motion. As a result, the part of the ride holding the strapped passengers crashed to the ground, amid screams and calls for help.
Video shows ride collapse at amusement park
3 people critically injured: reports
Taif Governor Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, in a statement, ordered the immediate closure of the resort and called for an investigation into the incident, reported the Saudi Gazette. Authorities expect the preliminary findings to be released in the coming days.
“Several injuries occurred; some were treated at the site, while others were transferred to hospital care,” the statement read. No fatalities were reported.
However, Arab News, citing emergency teams, reported the victims sustained varying injuries, with three people in critical condition. While some of the injured were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment, others received aid on the scene, according to Gulf News.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Amusement park ride in Saudi Arabia snaps, crashes, reports say
