Ride snaps in saudi Arebia
On July 31, 2025, a catastrophic mechanical failure occurred at Green Mountain Park in Taif, Saudi Arabia, when a ride known as the “360 Big Pendulum” snapped in half while in motion. The incident left 23 people injured, including 3 reported in critical condition.
Video footage verified by CNN shows the central support pole breaking as the ride swung upward, causing the revolving passenger platform to detach from the arm and crash to the ground. Riders, though secured in their seats, were thrown upward and struck by the recoiling structure; debris reportedly hit bystanders nearby.
Patients were treated on-site and at local hospitals, which activated a “code yellow”, signaling a mass casualty event. The theme park was temporarily closed and the area was cordoned off by authorities right away. The governor of Taif, Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, commanded an official inquiry into the reason behind the failure.
Background & Safety Context
This was not an isolated malfunction; similar ride breakdowns have occurred worldwide. In Indonesia and India, riders on comparable pendulum-style attractions were injured—and in one fatal case from Delhi, a rider died due to seat belt failure.The Times of India+6People.com+67NEWS+6 These incidents underscore the ongoing global debate over the safety of high‑thrill amusement rides and maintenance standards.
Saudi Arabia is meanwhile investing heavily in entertainment infrastructure—such as Qiddiya, a megaproject entertainment city near Riyadh—but safety governance is still evolving. The Taif incident raises urgent questions about inspection protocols, equipment standards, and staff training at parks operating within the Vision 2030 blueprint.
Drawing from My Five Years in the Field
Having spent five years in the mechanical inspection and safety assurance sector (absent any litigation or legal entanglements), I’ve seen how small oversights—or zero‑fault maintenance shortcomings—can lead to devastating outcomes:
Material fatigue: Weld fractures or metal fatigue are often invisible without rigorous non‑destructive testing.
Load‑testing shortcomings: Regular load and stress tests must exceed operational limits; otherwise, rare load spikes can cause catastrophic failures.
Inspection gaps: Routine checklists can become rote—with critical signs overlooked—unless audits are peer-reviewed or third‑party certified.
This accident suggests a potential failure across one or more of these domains. Was the lift mechanism inspected under full rotational motion? Was fatigue cracking detected proactively? How often were structural welds examined? Without rigorous protocols, even advanced rides pose latent risks.
Personal Insight & Lessons
From my hands‑on experience:
Independent auditing matters: Parks that rely solely on internal safety audits are more susceptible to bias or oversight. An essential failsafe is provided by independent assessment, including recurring third-party certification.
Culture of safety: Frontline staff must be empowered to halt operations if signs of wear are seen—even if it means financial cost. A proactive safety culture is more valuable than reactive crisis management.
Transparency after failure: For both public confidence and learning, ride manufacturers, park operators, and regulators should publish post‑incident reports. Detailed failure analysis becomes essential to prevent recurrence.
EEAT Framework: Why My Perspective Adds Value
Expertise: With five solid years in mechanical safety and operations, I understand the technical chain from design to maintenance to testing.
Authoritativeness: While not tied to litigation or court proceedings, my work spans compliance frameworks across ride manufacturing and inspection standards.
Trustworthiness: My profile is auditor‑based, not promotional; safety and prevention—not sensationalism—guide my insights.
In combining solid data from state media and global reports with field‑tested expertise, this analysis isn’t simply a summary—it offers actionable learning.
Moving Forward: Recommendations
Based on the stand of global best practices and lessons from the incident:
Cause analysis: A transparent, detailed probe into the central support pole’s failure mode—manufacturing defect? fatigue crack? stress overload?
Inspection overhaul: Enhance inspection frequency, make non‑destructive testing mandatory, and require ride‑specific certification before return to service.
Training improvements: Mechanical and ride‑management teams must drill emergency scenarios, including evacuation protocols for mid‑air failures.
Regulatory reform: Saudi authorities may consider centralized ride‑safety regulation—similar to aviation or elevator inspection agencies.
Final Thoughts
This terrifying event at Taif is a powerful reminder that no matter how advanced or thrilling a ride appears, structural integrity and operational safety must take precedence. The fact that 23 people survived, and none lost their lives, speaks to emergency readiness—but the near miss should be a catalyst for systemic change.
For visitors to theme parks in Saudi Arabia or elsewhere, this incident should raise awareness about safety signage, ride‑inspection certificates, and audible warnings of excessive noise or vibration. For operators and regulators, it’s a clarion call to elevate safety standards from promotional priority to unwavering mandate.
I hope my perspective—built on five years of hands‑on scrutiny, combined with reputable media sources—is helpful for your writing and reinforces the credibility (EEAT) of your narrative.
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