On the evening of July 30, 2025, a shocking incident occurred at Green Mountain Park in Taif, Saudi Arabia, involving a pendulum-style ride known as “360 Degrees.” While the ride was in motion, its central structural pole unexpectedly snapped, leading to a catastrophic failure that caused the circular passenger platform to fall several meters to the ground. Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene as debris flew outward, injuring a total of 23 people, with reports indicating that three to four individuals sustained critical injuries.
Despite being securely strapped in, riders experienced a terrifying ordeal as the pole recoiled at high speed, impacting both those on the ride and innocent bystanders in the vicinity. Emergency services responded promptly, providing first aid at the scene before transporting the injured to local hospitals. In light of the incident, hospitals in Taif declared a code yellow mass-casualty status to efficiently manage the influx of patients.
In the aftermath, Green Mountain Park was closed immediately, and authorities initiated a thorough investigation into the mechanical failure and the safety protocols of the amusement ride. The region’s governor, Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, has taken charge of the oversight for the investigation, which has raised significant concerns about maintenance standards and safety inspections across amusement parks in the region. The incident has also drawn attention on social media, where videos capturing the moment of the ride’s failure have circulated, with viewers expressing shock and fear at the unfolding events.
