23 nearly escape death as joyride snaps in motion in Saudi Arabia's Taif

Central pole of joyride collapses mid-air in Saudi Arabia's Taif

As many as 23 people were injured - three of them critical - after a joyride snapped in motion in Saudi Arabia's Taif. The ride malfunctioned and collapsed mid-air on Thursday (Local time).

Khaleej Times reported that the incident took place at Green Mountain Park in the Al Hada area of Taif when the central pole of the ride, known as ‘360 Degrees’, suddenly snapped while in motion.

A video of the incident has gone viral on social media and shows how the central pole of the joyride snapped mid-air. The video showed how several people were still onboard the ride when it broke down and collapsed, causing the tragedy.

There was suddenly a crackling sound and the ride's arm broke in half - following which, the people started screaming after the ride collapsed with a massive thud to the ground.

An amusement park ride in Saudi Arabia came apart mid-ride, injuring at least 23 people, with three in critical condition. The incident occurred at the Green Mountain Park in Taif, east of Mecca. Saudi authorities launched an investigation into the incident. pic.twitter.com/thQLA6nzpD

— Ariel Oseran أريئل أوسيران (@ariel_oseran) July 31, 2025

Eyewitnesses told the media that the ride’s pole recoiled at high speed. It struck some individuals who were standing on the opposite side, thus hurting them. Others were hurt after they fell while they were still on board the ride during the fall.

Okaz reported that the emergency services were immediately deployed and a rescue operation was initiated to evacuate the site and transport the injured to the local hospitals. Several medical facilities also reportedly declared a Code Yellow after there was a huge inflow of patients following the tragedy. A probe has been launched into the incident.