Fairground ride collapses in Haryana's Surajkund Mela: One dead, several injured

NEW DELHI: A police officer was killed and several people were injured after a swing collapsed at the Surajkund Mela in Haryana’s Faridabad on Saturday.Faridabad deputy commissioner Ayush Sinha said the incident happened at around 6.15 pm when the swing suddenly tilted and collapsed while people were on it. Among the victims was a police inspector who died while trying to save others.“A police inspector was declared brought dead. He had tried to save people when the joyride began tilting, but a part of the ride hit him in the face and head. Around 13 people were injured and have been rushed to the hospital. Others are under treatment,” Sinha said.Authorities said action will be taken against the joyride operator. “FIR will be registered, and an investigation will be done,” the deputy commissioner added. An eyewitness said when he saw the swing crashing down, people and police officers, without caring about their safety, rushed to the area and pulled out the injured from the ride.Reacting to the incident, Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini expressed grief over the loss of life. “I am extremely saddened by the accident that occurred during the Surajkund Mela held in Faridabad. I express deep condolences to the family members of the person who lost their life in this accident,” he said.The chief minister further said officials have been instructed to ensure proper and immediate treatment for the injured.Just an hour before the swing accident, Gate Number 2 of the fairgrounds suddenly collapsed, injuring Sumit Malhotra, a resident of Sector 28, and a child. The Surajkund Mela is one of the largest cultural fairs in the country and attracts thousands of visitors every year.