The Surajkund swing collapse reignites urgent questions about safety standards at fairs and amusement parks across the country
On February 7, 2026, tragedy struck the Surajkund International Crafts Mela in Faridabad when a giant swing ride malfunctioned mid-operation and collapsed. Police Inspector lost his life, while several others sustained injuries. Authorities immediately suspended all ride operations and launched a formal inquiry into the incident.
Five Incidents That Exposed India’s Amusement Safety Crisis
1. Jhabua Fair Giant Swing, Madhya Pradesh (January 19, 2026) Barely three weeks before Surajkund, a strikingly similar incident unfolded in Madhya Pradesh. A giant swing collapsed at a local fair, injuring approximately 14 schoolchildren. The district administration ordered a magisterial inquiry and immediately suspended the ride, highlighting recurring failures in pre-operational safety inspections at temporary fairground installations.
2. Kagal Fair Tower Ride, Kolhapur (October 25, 2025) An October evening turned into a nightmare when a tower ride malfunctioned at Kagal fair, stranding 18 people nearly 80 feet above ground for several hours. Fire services mounted a complex rescue operation. The incident prompted authorities to mandate comprehensive safety checks across all rides, revealing systemic gaps in maintenance protocols.
3. VGP Universal Kingdom, Chennai (May 28, 2025) At one of South India’s popular amusement destinations, a thrill ride stalled mid-air, trapping at least 30 riders for nearly three hours. Fire and rescue teams executed a challenging evacuation. The ride was subsequently closed pending investigation, raising questions about preventive maintenance at permanent amusement facilities operating year-round.
4. Kankaria Amusement Park, Ahmedabad (July 14, 2019) A catastrophic failure of a pendulum ride claimed two lives and injured nearly 30 when a pipe on the main shaft broke during operation. Authorities suspended the ride and ordered park-wide safety audits. The incident exposed inadequate structural integrity testing and underscored the fatal consequences of mechanical negligence.
5. Darjeeling Ropeway, West Bengal (October 19, 2003) In one of India’s earliest major cable car disasters, mechanical failure caused several cars to slip, killing four and injuring many others. The ropeway remained shuttered for an extended period before complete overhaul. This incident established the blueprint for subsequent cable car safety regulations nationwide
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