Saudi Arabia Amusement Park Accident Sparks Panic: Are Other Rides at Risk After 360 Pendulum Failure?

A catastrophic ride failure at Green Mountain Park in Taif, Saudi Arabia on 31 July has left 23 people injured and raised urgent questions about amusement park safety.

The incident occurred when the '360 Degrees' pendulum ride snapped mid-air, causing the passenger gondola to crash into the ride's base. The collapse, captured in multiple eyewitness videos, sparked panic across the region and on social media platforms globally.

Structural Failure During Operation

The ride involved in the accident, commonly referred to as the '360 Degrees', is a pendulum-style attraction that swings riders back and forth at high speed. According to reports from state media and video footage reviewed by emergency authorities, the central support arm of the ride fractured during operation, sending the gondola plummeting to the ground. Onlookers reported hearing a loud cracking sound moments before the structure gave way.

Footage circulated online shows the gondola mid-swing before violently detaching and crashing, with debris seen flying towards nearby spectators. Bystanders rushed to assist as park staff evacuated the area. In the video posted by Fox News, riders can be heard screaming in panic as they fall to the ground while strapped to the ride.

Emergency Response and Casualties

Emergency services responded immediately to the scene, treating injured individuals and transferring the most critical cases to nearby hospitals. At least three people were reported to be in critical condition, though no fatalities have been confirmed at this time. Local health authorities issued a 'code yellow' alert to area hospitals, a protocol used in mass casualty scenarios.

The Saudi Red Crescent Authority and civil defence teams were dispatched to manage the response, while park personnel assisted with initial first aid before professional medical support arrived.

Park Closure and Government Action

Following the incident, Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, governor of the Taif region, ordered the immediate closure of Green Mountain Park. The directive includes a suspension of all amusement activities pending the results of a formal investigation into the cause of the structural failure.

Inspection teams have since been sent to assess the integrity of the park's remaining rides. Authorities are also reviewing licensing and operational procedures to determine whether the ride had passed recent safety checks.

Ride Safety Under Scrutiny

Pendulum rides, like the one involved in this accident, operate under high mechanical stress and require regular maintenance and inspection. Experts have noted that structural fatigue in such rides can lead to sudden failures if not promptly addressed.

In light of this incident, Saudi authorities are expected to conduct broader safety assessments of similar rides across the country. International safety observers have also expressed concern, suggesting that the design and engineering standards of pendulum-style attractions may need reevaluation.

Are Other Rides at Risk?

While the cause of the Green Mountain ride collapse remains under investigation, public safety advocates are urging immediate reviews of comparable thrill rides. There is currently no official indication that other rides are unsafe, but the structural failure has raised serious concerns over the reliability of similar attractions in the region.

Officials have urged the public to await the investigation's findings before speculating further, though fears over ride safety continue to circulate online.