23 Injured, Park Shut Down: What We Know About The Saudi Arabia Ride Accident In Taif (Updated 2025)
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was rocked by a terrifying amusement park tragedy on July 31, 2025, when a major ride malfunctioned and snapped mid-air at the popular Green Mountain Park in Taif. This catastrophic failure, which occurred in the Al-Hada area, sent shockwaves across the region and immediately raised urgent questions about the safety protocols and maintenance standards of entertainment venues across the nation.
The incident resulted in a high number of casualties, with at least 23 people confirmed injured, three of whom were reported to be in critical condition, according to initial reports from Saudi state media and civil defense authorities. The immediate and decisive action taken by Saudi authorities, including the complete closure of the park and the launch of a high-level safety investigation, underscores the severity of the event and the government’s commitment to public safety.
The Taif Tragedy: A Breakdown of the Green Mountain Park Incident
The accident took place at the Green Mountain Park, a well-known leisure destination in Taif, a city famous for its cool climate and mountain resorts. The specific ride involved was a large, high-swinging attraction described variously as a "360-degree amusement park ride" or a "360 Big Pendulum Ride," a type of fairground ride designed to swing passengers in a wide, high arc.
- Location: Green Mountain Park, Taif, Saudi Arabia (specifically in the Al-Hada area).
- Date of Incident: July 31, 2025.
- Ride Type: A 360-degree pendulum-style ride.
- Casualties: At least 23 people injured, with three sustaining critical injuries.
- The Failure: Eyewitness accounts and shocking video footage circulated online showed the ride snapping in half while in motion, causing the passenger section to crash violently to the ground.
The speed and height at which the collapse occurred were significant, leading to the severe injuries sustained by the riders. Emergency services, including the Saudi Civil Defense, were immediately dispatched to the scene to manage the chaotic situation, provide first aid, and transport the injured to local hospitals. The swift response was crucial in managing the immediate aftermath of the horrific theme park incident.
Initial reports varied slightly on the severity of the outcome, with some early sources mentioning a fatality. However, the most consistent and widely cited reports from official Saudi state media focused on the high number of injuries, confirming at least 23 victims. The focus quickly shifted to the mechanical failure and the urgent need for a thorough technical inquiry into the ride's structural integrity.
The Official Response and Safety Investigation Protocol
In the wake of the catastrophic amusement park accident, Saudi authorities launched an immediate and comprehensive investigation. The primary goal of the inquiry is to determine the precise root cause of the failure. This involves a detailed technical assessment of the 360 Big Pendulum Ride, scrutinizing its maintenance records, operational history, and whether it met all required safety standards and technical regulations set by the Kingdom.
The investigative team is focusing on several key areas, including:
- Structural Integrity: Analyzing the broken components for material fatigue, manufacturing defects, or stress fractures that may have caused the ride to snap.
- Maintenance Records: Reviewing the frequency and quality of inspections and maintenance performed on the ride by Green Mountain Park staff and external contractors.
- Operational Compliance: Assessing whether the ride was operated within its specified safety parameters, including weight limits and weather conditions.
- Regulatory Oversight: Examining the role of local regulatory bodies in certifying the ride's safety and ensuring compliance with national theme park safety regulations.
Crucially, the entire Green Mountain Park was shut down indefinitely by Saudi authorities following the incident. This measure was taken not only to facilitate the investigation but also to allow for a full safety audit of all other attractions within the park. This swift action reflects a zero-tolerance policy for negligence in public safety matters, especially in high-risk entertainment venues.
Furthermore, the impact of the Taif incident extended beyond the local park. Following the tragedy, the Saudi General Entertainment Authority (GEA), the body responsible for regulating the rapidly growing entertainment sector in the Kingdom, announced a temporary halt to two other major entertainment events. This decision was a direct and proactive measure to reassess safety protocols across the entire sector and ensure public confidence in large-scale gatherings and attractions.
Broader Implications for Saudi Arabia's Entertainment Sector and Vision 2030
The Taif ride accident has cast a spotlight on the critical importance of rigorous safety standards within Saudi Arabia's burgeoning entertainment industry. The Kingdom, under the ambitious Vision 2030 plan, has heavily invested in developing its tourism and entertainment sectors, including the construction of mega-projects and world-class theme parks like those planned for Qiddiya and NEOM. This rapid expansion necessitates equally rapid and robust development of regulatory frameworks.
The incident serves as a grim reminder that while the pace of development is accelerating, the adherence to international best practices for amusement park safety must remain the absolute priority. Entities and LSI keywords like ride malfunction, structural failure, technical inquiry, and regulatory oversight are now central to the public discourse and the government's strategy.
The investigation's findings will likely lead to significant, long-term changes in how theme parks and fairground rides are inspected, maintained, and certified across Saudi Arabia. Potential reforms could include:
- Mandatory International Certification: Requiring all new and existing rides to hold up-to-date certification from recognized international safety bodies.
- Increased Inspection Frequency: Implementing more frequent, unannounced, and independent safety inspections by specialized engineering teams.
- Stricter Penalties: Imposing harsher penalties, including permanent operational bans and criminal charges, for park owners and operators found to be negligent in their maintenance duties.
- Public Safety Awareness: Launching public campaigns to educate citizens on ride safety and reporting concerns directly to Saudi authorities.
The tragic events at Green Mountain Park underscore the complex challenge of balancing rapid development with uncompromised public safety. As the Kingdom continues to welcome millions of visitors to its new entertainment hubs, the outcome of the Taif investigation and the resulting safety reforms will be closely watched by international amusement park safety experts and the global tourism industry. The hope is that this unfortunate incident will ultimately lead to a stronger, safer, and more trustworthy entertainment environment for all visitors to Saudi Arabia. The safety of the public in all leisure activities, from carnival rides to large-scale events, is paramount to the success of the Vision 2030 goals.
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