Saudi Arabia - A major ride accident at Green Mountain Park in Taif, Saudi Arabia has left 23 people injured, including at least three in critical condition, after a pendulum-style attraction suddenly broke apart while in operation. The incident occurred on 31 July 2025 and was captured on video by several bystanders.
The ride, widely referred to as a “360 Big Pendulum,” had been swinging back and forth when its main structural arm catastrophically failed mid-cycle. Eyewitness footage shows the fully loaded passenger gondola crashing violently to the ground after the central support broke in two. Screams can be heard as onlookers rush to help.
Authorities have since closed the amusement park and launched an official investigation to determine the cause of the collapse and identify any responsible parties.
Early reports and emergency response
According to Saudi officials, 23 individuals were treated for injuries, several of whom were transported to nearby hospitals. A code yellow emergency was declared at medical facilities in the region to manage the sudden influx of patients. Three people remain in critical condition as of the latest updates.
Local media report that most victims were seated on the ride when the structure failed, but others nearby were also injured by debris and the recoil of the collapsing framework. Emergency teams responded quickly, and footage circulating online shows ambulances and paramedics arriving within minutes of the incident.
Ride origin and type
The attraction is believed to be a large-scale pendulum ride with full 360-degree inversion capabilities, a model that has grown in popularity in regional amusement parks over the past decade. While the exact manufacturer has not been officially confirmed, the ride closely resembles models produced by Chinese companies, which are active in the Middle East and North Africa markets.
These companies produce high-capacity pendulum rides with inverting swing arms and rotating passenger platforms, visually similar to offerings from European manufacturers like Zamperla or HUSS, but often distributed at lower cost. Industry analysts note that while many of these models meet basic engineering standards, differences in quality control, inspection regimes, and maintenance practices may vary depending on the operator.
Park closure and investigation
Following the incident, Green Mountain Park was immediately shut down. The attraction involved is now the focus of a multi-agency investigation led by local civil defense authorities. Structural engineers and safety consultants have been brought in to assess the failure and review the ride’s import, installation, and inspection history.
Authorities have not commented on whether the ride was operating with a valid safety certificate or undergoing regular maintenance. Questions have also been raised about the operator’s emergency training and response procedures, as several park visitors were seen attempting to help injured riders before staff or emergency services arrived.
A growing concern for regional safety
While ride accidents remain rare globally, this incident has sparked renewed attention on amusement ride safety in emerging markets. In contrast to heavily regulated destinations like the United States or Europe, ride oversight in parts of the Gulf region can depend heavily on private inspection contractors, vendor support, or operator self-regulation.
This is not the first time such concerns have been raised. Similar pendulum ride failures have occurred in countries like India and Pakistan in recent years, often linked to metal fatigue, overloaded structures, or improper maintenance. In each of those cases, calls for stricter oversight, certification standards, and international collaboration followed—though with mixed long-term results.
What happens next
The Saudi government has not yet commented on whether the incident will lead to changes in national ride safety policy, but the investigation is expected to include both criminal and civil components. It is currently unclear whether Green Mountain Park will reopen, and if so, under what conditions.
Meanwhile, the ride’s collapse continues to circulate on social media platforms, where shocked viewers and amusement industry observers have called for greater transparency in ride sourcing, inspection protocols, and operator accountability.
Until the results of the investigation are made public, little is known about the ride’s specific technical specifications, year of installation, or last maintenance record. However, the dramatic nature of the accident—and the fact that no fatalities have yet been reported—has drawn widespread attention from both the public and the global theme park community.
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