India's Joyride Nightmare: A Haunting List of Recent Swing Mishaps
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A recent incident at the Surajkund International Crafts Mela in Faridabad has reignited concerns over safety in India's joyride industry. On-duty police inspector Rajesh Kumar lost his life, and 11 others were injured when a giant swing malfunctioned and collapsed during a ride. The tragedy has brought back memories of similar accidents involving amusement rides and cable cars in India. A look at some of the recent incidents that have shaken the nation: In January 2026, a giant swing collapsed at a local fair in Madhya Pradesh's Jhabua, injuring 14 children. An inquiry was conducted by the district administration, and the ride operations were halted. In October 2025, a malfunctioning tower ride stranded 18 people mid-air at a height of 80 feet in Maharashtra's Kolhapur. Fire service personnel rescued the trapped individuals safely. In September 2025, a cable snapped on a cargo ropeway in Gujarat's Pavagadh hill, resulting in the deaths of at least 6 people. A technical committee was formed to investigate the incident. In May 2025, an adventure ride in Chennai's VGP Universal Kingdom stopped mid-air, leaving about 30 people stranded for hours. Fire and rescue teams evacuated them safely. In April 2025, a 24-year-old woman died after falling from a roller coaster in South West Delhi due to a malfunction in her seat belt. The ride was immediately halted, and police action was initiated. In July 2023, a technical error led to a halt in cable car services in Uttarakhand's Nainital, leaving 12 passengers stranded mid-route, including six foreign tourists. Rescue personnel evacuated everyone safely. In April 2022, two cable cars collided mid-air in Jharkhand's Deoghar, killing two people and leaving several others stranded. The state government ordered an inquiry and later blacklisted the private operator. In July 2019, a pendulum ride at Ahmedabad's Kankaria Amusement Park crashed, killing two people and injuring nearly 30 others. Authorities suspended the ride and ordered a safety audit of the park. In 2003, multiple cable cars slipped after a mechanical failure in West Bengal's Darjeeling, killing four people and injuring several others. The ropeway services were shut down for an extended period and later overhauled. The frequency of these incidents raises questions about the safety measures in place for India's joyride industry. As the nation mourns the loss of lives, it is essential to address these concerns and ensure that such tragedies do not recur.
