Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Feb 7: Panic gripped the 39th Surajkund International Crafts Mela in Haryana’s Faridabad on Saturday evening after a Tsunami amusement ride collapsed, leaving nearly a dozen people injured, including one in critical condition, police said.
The incident occurred around 7 p.m. when the swing, carrying about 15 riders, reportedly malfunctioned due to a mechanical failure and crashed to the ground. The impact sent up a cloud of dust and caused chaos at the venue, with many visitors fleeing in fear after mistaking the loud crash for a terror attack.
While eyewitnesses and rescue personnel claimed that a person identified as Inspector Jagdish Prasad from Palwal died in the incident, authorities said there was no official confirmation of any fatality as of Saturday night.
Following the collapse, the entire mela premises were evacuated as a precautionary measure. District Magistrate Ayush Sinha personally supervised the rescue operations, coordinating with police, medical teams and other agencies to ensure the injured were swiftly transported to nearby hospitals. Senior officials from the district administration, police department and the tourism department also rushed to the site.
An official inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident and fix responsibility.
Earlier in the day, the mela had already witnessed another safety-related incident when strong winds caused a gate structure near entrance number two to collapse, injuring a visitor who was taken to B.K. Hospital for treatment.
The Surajkund International Crafts Mela was inaugurated on January 31 and is scheduled to continue until February 15. Speaking at the inauguration, Haryana Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma had described the event as a major cultural showcase rather than just a traditional fair, noting its growing popularity.
The mela has seen expanding international participation over the years. While artisans from 44 countries took part last year, this edition has drawn representatives from more than 50 countries. Around 700 participants have already arrived, and organisers were expecting footfall to surpass the 15–16 lakh visitors recorded in previous editions.