A swing at the Surajkund International Crafts Festival in Faridabad, Haryana, collapsed on Saturday (February 7) evening, leaving 13 injured and one dead, officials confirmed. The tragedy, which was caught on camera, shows the ride with people on board climbing high when one side of its support pillars suddenly collapsed, causing the entire structure to tilt and crash to the ground.
The Haryana Police on Sunday said an FIR has been registered and two accused persons — a ride operator and an employee — have been arrested in connection with the joyride collapse, PTI reported.
Joyride collapse caught on camera
Screams of excitement filled the air as the swing rose high and spun rapidly. Moments later, joy turned to horror when one of the posts supporting the swing snapped and the entire structure came tumbling to the ground.
About 19 people were on the swing when the accident happened at around 6pm on Saturday.
Police said the swing was moving up and down at high speed when one end suddenly broke, leaving it hanging about two to three feet above the ground before collapsing.
A 58-year-old police inspector – Jagdish Prasad – who was deployed on duty at the spot, noticed the tilting of the ride and tried to rescue the people before the structure gave way. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
He was cremated with full state honors in his native Dengar village in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday.
His last rites were performed with full rituals on the banks of the Yamuna river where his son Gaurav lit the funeral pyre, the official said, adding that hundreds of people had gathered for the funeral.
2 arrests
Faridabad DCP Maqsood Ahmed said that two persons have been arrested so far in connection with the incident. He said those arrested are suppliers and vendors associated with the fair and are the owners of the agency contracted to operate the rides.
“As you all know, the FIR was registered immediately yesterday. After registering the case, we detained and interrogated those who we believed might have had a role in the incident. After interrogation, we have so far arrested two persons whose involvement has been proved,” PTI quoted the DCP as saying.
He added: “Those arrested include… Both are suppliers and vendors of the fair, owners of the agency that contracted and operated the rides. In addition to them, several others are being questioned. Appropriate legal action will be taken if additional roles or involvements come to light.”
The festival will continue as planned
The Faridabad District Administration and the Surajkund Fair Authority have clarified that the Surajkund International Handicrafts Festival will go ahead as planned.
Officials said the entertainment area of the mela has been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure and will remain closed until an investigation is completed and security controls are fully reviewed, PTI reported.