Pendulum Ride Breaks Mid-Air in Saudi Arabia, 23 Injured

Amusement Ride Accident in Saudi Arabia

A Pendulum 360 ride catastrophically failed during operation at a Taif amusement park, fracturing mid-swing and plunging riders to the ground. The incident occurred Wednesday evening in the Al-Hada region east of Mecca.

Casualties and Response

Emergency services confirmed 23 injuries, including three in critical condition. Medical teams treated some victims onsite while others required hospital transport. Authorities immediately closed the park and launched a full investigation.

Mechanical Failure Analysis

Pendulum rides like the 360 model operate on pendulum physics principles, subjecting structures to extreme gravitational forces. Video footage shows the ride's central support mechanism failing during peak operational stress. Industry experts note such attractions require rigorous maintenance protocols and regular metallurgical testing.

Global Safety Context

This incident follows recent amusement ride accidents worldwide, including Germany's 2024 Chaos ride inversion and Ohio's 2017 Fireball tragedy that killed one rider. Saudi Arabia has rapidly expanded its entertainment sector under Vision 2030, prompting calls for enhanced safety regulations.