At least 23 individuals sustained injuries after a catastrophic malfunction occurred on a fairground ride in southwest Saudi Arabia, according to media reports on Thursday.
The incident took place in the city of Taif, where a popular attraction known as the “360 Degrees” ride broke apart while in motion, plunging its riders several metres to the ground.
Videos widely circulated on social media show the harrowing moment when the mechanical structure snapped mid-air. The ride, which consists of a circular carousel rotating and flipping vertically, dramatically split in two, sending the entire platform crashing down in a chaotic scene.
According to Al Arabiya, a Saudi-owned news channel, 23 people were injured in the accident. Among the victims, four individuals are reportedly in critical condition and are receiving intensive medical treatment. Emergency response teams were quickly dispatched to the scene to tend to the injured and secure the area.
In the wake of the incident, the amusement park where the malfunction occurred has been shut down indefinitely. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the root cause of the structural failure and assess whether safety protocols were followed prior to the ride’s operation.
Saudi Arabia’s pursuit of becoming a global destination for leisure and tourism has seen the rise of several large-scale entertainment ventures. This incident comes amid the country’s ongoing efforts to diversify its economy, traditionally dominated by oil revenues, through investment in non-oil sectors such as tourism, sports, and recreation.
One of the country’s flagship developments is Qiddiya, located near the capital, Riyadh. Marketed as an “entertainment city,” Qiddiya is set to include amusement parks, motorsports facilities, and other leisure attractions as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reform agenda.
The collapse of the “360 Degrees” ride has raised pressing questions about the safety standards and maintenance practices at entertainment venues in the Kingdom. While authorities have moved swiftly to investigate, public concern continues to grow as Saudi Arabia ramps up its presence in the global tourism and recreation industry.
What You Should Know
A devastating ride collapse in Taif, Saudi Arabia, left 23 people injured, including four in critical condition, after the “360 Degrees” fairground attraction snapped mid-air.
The incident has prompted the immediate closure of the amusement park and sparked an official investigation.
As Saudi Arabia accelerates its shift toward becoming a global entertainment hub, the tragedy underscores the need for rigorous safety oversight in the country’s expanding leisure sector.
