A malfunction at a Saudi Arabian amusement park on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, resulted in injuries to 23 individuals when a pendulum ride broke during operation. The incident occurred at Green Mountain Park in the Al-Hada area of Taif, near Jeddah, in western Saudi Arabia.

The ride, called the “360 Big Pendulum” or “360 Degrees,” was in motion with passengers secured in their seats when the central support arm failed. Verified video footage by CNN shows the ride’s carousel crashing into the pendulum’s opposite end before hitting the ground, accompanied by a metallic snap and crunching noise described by witnesses.

Among the 23 injured, three sustained critical injuries and were taken to nearby hospitals. The rest of the passengers experienced varying injuries; some were treated at the scene by the Saudi Red Crescent Authority before hospital transport. Local hospitals in Taif declared a code yellow emergency, indicating a mass casualty event.

Witnesses reported that despite being secured, riders were injured during the fall. The central pole recoiled rapidly after detachment, hitting individuals standing on the opposite side of the attraction, causing further injuries. The scene was described as “chaotic” as emergency services arrived to assist.

At the time of failure, the ride was at an angle exceeding 90 degrees relative to the ground. Witnesses noted the passenger wheel righted itself as it fell, landing relatively flat, which local media suggested may have prevented fatalities.

Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, the regional governor of Taif, ordered the resort’s closure post-incident and called for a thorough investigation into the cause of the ride collapse. Authorities anticipate preliminary findings soon.

According to Arab News, the investigation will include safety assessments of other rides at the park. The damaged ride is cordoned off as investigators work to determine the structural failure’s cause. Emergency teams confirmed that “several injuries occurred”, with some victims treated on-site, while others needed hospital care.

This incident in Saudi Arabia is among several recent global amusement park ride failures. In Buena Park, California, Knott’s Berry Farm’s Sol Spin Ride experienced two recent malfunctions, while Disneyland’s Autopia ride in Anaheim, California, was temporarily closed in June after cars derailed.

Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, faced multiple issues with its “Siren’s Curse” ride, which left riders suspended midair several times since its debut. The tilt coaster malfunctioned four times in 25 days, requiring passenger evacuations down a 160-foot curve.

Last October, a similar event occurred in Ecuador when two gondola cars detached at a fairground, injuring 10 individuals, with six in critical condition. In April, a 24-year-old woman died in Delhi, India, after a roller coaster swing broke, causing her to fall.

The Green Mountain Park event underscores ongoing safety concerns at amusement facilities globally. Investigators are examining whether mechanical failure, maintenance issues, or other factors contributed to the ride collapse in Saudi Arabia. The park remains closed pending the safety investigation’s completion and assessment of all attractions.