Panic and chaos erupted at the Bhainsaha (Chait Barni) Mela in Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar on Wednesday night after a massive 60-foot swing ride collapsed during operation, injuring at least 30 people, including women and children.
According to eyewitnesses, the ride was severely overcrowded, carrying nearly 80 people at the time of the incident. The swing had reportedly completed two rotations when loud creaking noises began, alarming riders and onlookers. Despite repeated warnings, the operator allegedly continued the ride.
Moments later, the structure gave way. The swing detached from its base and crashed to the ground, throwing riders into the air and trapping several beneath the wreckage.
Rescue efforts began immediately, with police and locals working together to pull out the injured. The operation lasted nearly an hour. Six ambulances were deployed to rush victims to nearby hospitals, while more than 10 critically injured individuals were referred to a district medical college. Two children remain in serious condition.
The Bhainsaha Mela, held annually on the banks of the Narayani River near a Durga temple during Chaitra Purnima, draws large crowds from eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Nepal. Officials acknowledged that this year’s attendance exceeded expectations.
Initial investigations indicate serious negligence. Authorities suspect that the swing’s base was structurally weak and poorly anchored, making it unable to withstand the excessive load.