At least 30 people were injured when a 60-foot Ferris wheel collapsed at a late-night fair in Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, police said. The accident occurred around midnight on Wednesday in Bhainsaha village, Kushinagar district, where hundreds had gathered at an ancient temple complex for an annual fair.
Video footage captured by a fairgoer showed the ride, carrying dozens including women and children, suddenly tilting to one side before crashing to the ground. Witnesses rushed to help those trapped beneath the twisted metal, pulling victims from the wreckage. Local media reported the ride was carrying nearly 80 people and had completed two rotations before emitting a creaking sound and collapsing.
At least 10 people were critically injured, while others sustained minor wounds. Police said rescue operations were launched immediately, with six ambulances dispatched to transport the injured to nearby medical facilities. An eyewitness said one side of the support pillar broke mid-operation, causing the entire structure to collapse, according to NDTV Hindi.
Preliminary information suggests a technical fault had been noticed earlier, but the operator allegedly continued running the ride, raising concerns of negligence. Authorities registered a case and are investigating whether mandatory safety checks were carried out. The fair is held annually on the banks of the Narayani river, attracting devotees from neighbouring Bihar and Nepal.
