Surajkund swing tragedy revives grim history of ride, ropeway accidents in India

The collapse of a giant swing at the Surajkund International Crafts Mela in Haryana has once again put the spotlight on safety lapses at amusement parks, fairs and ropeway facilities across India, reviving memories of similar accidents reported over the years.

The incident occurred at the mela venue in Faridabad on Saturday when the swing malfunctioned and crashed mid-operation, killing a police inspector and injuring several others. Following the accident, authorities suspended ride operations at the venue and ordered an inquiry.

Below is a list of major amusement ride and cable car accidents reported in India over the years:

• Darjeeling ropeway, West Bengal (2003): Several cable cars slipped due to a mechanical failure on October 19, killing four people and injuring many others. The ropeway was shut for an extended period and later underwent a major overhaul.



• Kankaria Amusement Park, Ahmedabad (2019): A pendulum ride crashed on July 14 after a pipe on the main shaft broke, killing two people and injuring nearly 30. Authorities immediately suspended the ride and ordered a comprehensive safety audit of the park.



• Trikut ropeway, Deoghar, Jharkhand (2022): Two cable cars collided mid-air on April 10, killing two people and leaving dozens stranded for several hours. The state government ordered a probe and later blacklisted the private operator.



• Nainital ropeway, Uttarakhand (2023): A technical fault halted a cable car mid-route on July 27, stranding 12 passengers, including six foreign tourists. All were rescued safely, and services resumed after repairs and safety checks.



• South West Delhi amusement park (2023): A 24-year-old woman died on April 3 after falling from a roller coaster due to a seat belt failure. The ride was shut down and police initiated action against those responsible for maintenance.



• VGP Universal Kingdom, Chennai (2025): A thrill ride stalled mid-air on May 28, leaving at least 30 riders stranded for nearly three hours. Fire and rescue teams evacuated passengers, and the ride was closed for inspection.



• Kagal fair, Kolhapur, Maharashtra (2025): A tower ride malfunctioned on October 25, leaving 18 people stranded nearly 80 feet above the ground for several hours. Fire services rescued the riders safely, and authorities ordered safety checks of all rides at the fair.
• Pavagadh hill ropeway, Gujarat (2025): A cable snapped on a cargo ropeway on September 6, killing six people. Police registered an accidental death case, and a technical committee was set up to investigate the incident.



• Jhabua fair, Madhya Pradesh (2026): A giant swing collapsed at a local fair on January 19, injuring around 14 schoolchildren. The district administration ordered a magisterial inquiry and suspended the ride