Amusement Park Ride Malfunctions in Chennai, 30 Stranded Mid-Air for Hours
A joyride at a private amusement park near Chennai turned into a horrifying experience on Tuesday evening, when a ride malfunction left 30 people stranded mid-air for over three hours. The incident occurred at a theme park along East Coast Road (ECR), a popular tourist stretch near Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
The ride, known as "Top Gun", reached a height of 50 feet and was about to complete a full circle when a loud noise from one of the engines caused it to halt abruptly. Eyewitnesses described hearing screams and cries as panic spread among the trapped passengers, which included women and children.
Emergency response was delayed, with help reportedly taking nearly two hours to arrive. A shaken passenger mentioned using his Instagram account to seek police help, while another said no communication came from the park authorities during the initial hours.
Over 35 personnel from the fire and rescue services department, along with local police, arrived on the scene. Early attempts using ladders failed, prompting officials to deploy sky lifts and a giant crane to rescue the people one by one. The entire rescue operation lasted more than three hours, and during this time, water and biscuits were provided to those stuck on the ride.
District fire officer Loganathan stated that a mechanical fault was suspected to be the reason for the ride’s failure. A detailed investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the malfunction.
This isn’t the first such incident in the area. In March, a metal rod fell from a giant swing ride at the MGM Amusement Park in Chennai, injuring two college students—one of them seriously. That incident had already raised safety concerns regarding amusement park rides in the region.
Following Tuesday’s incident, the park manager and ride operators have been taken into custody, and authorities are scrutinizing safety protocols at the theme park. The incident has intensified demands for stricter safety regulations and routine inspections at entertainment facilities to avoid future tragedies.
As Chennai residents and tourists process this alarming event, the spotlight is now on ride safety and accountability in amusement parks across Tamil Nadu.
