When thrill rides fall, it is not only steel that breaks; awaagesha/of trust are broken, and families are disturbed, as is the conscience of that nation.
The date was July 31, 2025, and with an afternoon of fun, exhilaration, and merriment at Green Mountain Park, the most popular amusement spot in Taif, Saudi Arabia, the day was predictably filled with pleasure.
However, that was when all that happiness was sorely ripped apart. The 360 tantalizingly devastating swing ride gave way somewhere in mid-air, causing injuries to 23 persons, with three of them being critically injured.
It was the nightmare of every adrenaline-pumping activity ever, started with the thrill and experienced by a nation, immortalized onto video that went viral with millions upon millions of views.
Eyewitnesses stood frozen as the rotating arm of the ride cracked, twisted, and fell — passengers still strapped in. Families screamed. Staff panicked. The sound of metal hitting the ground was followed by chaos, sirens, and bloodied victims.
“It Cracked. Then the Whole Ride Just Fell.”
According to those at the scene, the 360 Degrees ride had just begun its full rotation when a loud snap echoed through the park. The passenger gondola, mid-swing, violently detached from its axis and crashed with full force.
“We thought it was just part of the thrill until we saw people lying on the ground, motionless. It was horrifying,”
Said a teenager who captured the video that quickly went viral.
What was meant to be a night of thrill ended in trauma and confusion. Some of the injured were unconscious, and others were bleeding. Most were children and families out for an ordinary weekend.
What We Know So Far
- Location: Green Mountain Park, Taif, Saudi Arabia
- Date: July 31, 2025
- Ride: 360 Degrees (pendulum swing with full-circle rotation)
- Total Injured: 23
- Critical Cases: 3 in ICU
- Hospitalized At: King Faisal Hospital, Taif
- Emergency Response: Within 11 minutes
- Ride Status: Sealed; park shut for investigation
- Safety Certificate: Not displayed; last known inspection over 14 months ago
- Viral Video: Over 10 million views
- Green Mountain Park reportedly receives thousands of visitors every week, including families, school tours, and regional tourists. That such a heavily visited attraction lacked basic safety checks has only intensified national concern.
Timeline of the Incident
- 7:45 PM – Ride begins normal operation
- 7:47 PM – Loud cracking noise reported
- 7:48 PM – Gondola crashes mid-ride
- 7:50 PM – Panic and injuries confirmed
- 7:56 PM – Emergency medical teams arrive
- 8:30 PM – Park operations halted, ride sealed off
Not a Freak Accident—A Systemic Failure
This tragedy wasn’t unpredictable. It was waiting to happen. Visitors had previously complained about unusual ride noises and uneven movement. No action was taken. Reports confirm that the ride hadn’t been inspected by an independent third party in over a year.
Even more troubling, there was no safety certificate on public display. Ride operators were poorly trained and unprepared to shut down the ride when the emergency occurred. The ride was imported from Europe in 2019, but it is unclear whether the components were ever replaced or serviced.
Critical Failures
The Taif disaster was not caused by an infrequent technical malfunction — it was a series of preventable errors that highlighted glaring weaknesses in safety, accountability, and management.
To start with, there had been no recent mechanical check on the 360 Degrees ride, even though signs of wear were evident and audible grumblings from riders were heard in the weeks before the collapse. The park authorities allegedly disregarded these warning signs and went on running the ride without inspection or maintenance.
The operators themselves were not properly trained to deal with emergencies. In the collapse, they didn’t use safety systems, and witnesses described complete confusion and panic among employees. There was no safety information posted at the entrance of the ride — a simple legal requirement intended to assure riders that the ride is inspected and certified and regularly maintained.
Even more alarming was the total lack of an emergency stop procedure, with the defective ride remaining in motion for longer than required. With the dust finally settled, the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) — the governing body tasked with regulation — still had not made any official explanation or investigation announcement available, adding to the outrage among the public.
No official compensation has been made for the victims yet, nor has any charge been laid. The GEA or management of Green Mountain Park has not made any public apology or taken responsibility for what happened — a silence that is further deepening the agony of impacted families and society at large.
“As of August 1, the GEA has not provided any official comment regarding the incident or the ongoing investigation,” a reporter from Taif’s municipal news desk stated.
Children in Hospitals, Parents in Shock
Many of the injured were children aged 8 to 14. Some suffered broken bones, others internal injuries. But doctors say the emotional damage may take far longer to heal.
“My daughter wakes up crying, asking if everything she sits on will fall. She won’t even go near swings anymore,”
Said the mother of a 10-year-old victim.
Doctors at King Faisal Hospital confirmed that several victims will require trauma counseling, some for months, maybe years.
This Isn’t New. It’s a Global Pattern.
Similar incidents have occurred in other countries—and almost always, the cause was the same: ignored maintenance, faulty equipment, and absent accountability.
- Ohio, USA (2017): 1 dead, 7 injured
- Ajmer, India (2022): 11 children injured
- Kuwait (2019): 8 injured in a tower ride collapse
- Each case led to outrage, temporary closures, and promises of reform. But across borders, the fundamental issue remains: thrill is prioritized over safety—until it’s too late.
Public Fury, Private Silence
While citizens expressed outrage and grief online, the park’s management has maintained silence. On social media, hashtags like #ShutDownGreenMountain, #RideOrRisk, and #JusticeForTaifVictims surged within hours of the incident.
Despite the public outcry, neither the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) nor the park has offered a compensation package, medical support statement, or legal admission of responsibility. Insurance details for the ride remain undisclosed. Legal experts say the families of the injured may file a class-action lawsuit in the coming weeks.
“If confirmed as negligence under Saudi Public Safety Law, the park management could face criminal charges under Article 132,” said a Jeddah-based civil litigation attorney.
What Saudi Arabia Must Do — Now
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 includes major investments in tourism and entertainment. But if amusement parks fail to protect lives, that vision stands on shaky ground.
To ensure this never happens again, the following reforms are critical:
- Mandatory third-party mechanical audits every month
- Operator training certifications for all amusement staff
- Digital safety dashboards are displayed at each ride entrance.
- Compulsory ride insurance and guaranteed medical coverage
- Rapid-response legal action within 7 days of any incident
Final Words: It Wasn’t Just a Ride That Collapsed
What failed that night wasn’t just a machine—it was a system. It was the trust between families and amusement parks, the promise that thrill wouldn’t cost blood.
Children who once laughed on rides now cry at the sound of steel. Parents who once took photos now sit outside ICUs. And a nation that dreams of world-class entertainment must now confront the cost of ambition without accountability.
This wasn’t just a ride gone wrong. It was a breakdown of duty, safety, and conscience. And if it doesn’t result in justice, we haven’t learned anything at all.
FOR MORE BLOGS – beyondthepunchlines.com
Author: Team BTP
Add to favorites
