A devastating accident occurred at a fairground in Taif, southwest Saudi Arabia, when a popular ride snapped mid-air, sending its full carousel crashing to the ground.
The incident, which occured on Wednesday, left at least 23 people injured, with four of them sustaining serious injuries.
Footage circulating online showed the “360 Degrees” ride breaking in half, with the circular carousel plummeting to the ground from a height of several meters.
The dramatic video captured the moment when the ride malfunctioned, sending shockwaves through the amusement park.
The amusement park in Taif has been closed, and an investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the accident.
According to Al Arabiya TV channel, which reported the incident, the authorities are working to identify the factors that led to the ride’s malfunction.
The incident comes as Saudi Arabia continues to invest heavily in its entertainment industry as part of its efforts to diversify its oil-reliant economy.
The country has been building multiple leisure and entertainment attractions, including the Qiddiya project near Riyadh, which is billed as an “entertainment city” featuring theme parks and a motorsports racetrack.
The accident has raised concerns about safety standards at amusement parks in Saudi Arabia.
As the country continued to develop its entertainment industry, it remained to be seen how the authorities would respond to this incident and ensure that safety protocols are in place to prevent similar accidents in the future.
