One dead and multiple injured in 'Tsunami' ride disaster at a fair in India

For travellers visiting Northern India, the Surajkund International Crafts Mela in Faridabad is usually a must-see cultural staple.

As the world's largest crafts fair, it brings together artisans, weavers and performers from across India and various countries to showcase traditional handlooms, handicrafts and cultural heritage. 

However, the festivities turned into a national tragedy recently when an amusement ride failure resulted in a loss of life and several injuries.

The "Tsunami", a high-intensity pendulum "top spin" ride popular with thrill-seekers, suffered a catastrophic mechanical failure. As the ride reached full speed with 26 passengers on board, a primary support shaft snapped.

Witnesses described a harrowing scene where the ride became unhinged, tilting violently before suspending mid-air and then crashing into the structure below.

While the impact caused widespread injuries, ranging from fractures to serious trauma, it was the subsequent rescue attempt that led to a heartbreaking fatality.

The tragedy claimed the life of Inspector Jagdish Prasad, 58, a veteran officer who was just weeks away from retirement.

Prasad rushed into the wreckage to pull trapped passengers from their seats. As he was assisting the victims, the remaining structural supports of the heavy machinery collapsed, pinning him underneath.

He has since been posthumously granted martyr status by the Haryana Police.

The government has announced ₹1 crore (R1.7m) for the officer’s family and ₹1 lakh (approximately R17k) for those seriously injured.

This incident has cast a shadow over the 39th edition of the Mela, particularly as it followed another safety lapse earlier that same day when a decorative entrance gate collapsed due to wind, injuring a child.

Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is currently conducting a forensic audit of all rides at the fair.