A tragic incident struck the popular Al-Hada Green Mountain amusement park in Taif on Wednesday evening, when a ride collapsed unexpectedly, injuring 23 visitors, including three in critical condition, according to local media reports.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as the ride’s main support column reportedly fractured mid-operation, sending the structure crashing down with children and young adults onboard. Emergency responders from the Saudi Civil Defense and local ambulance teams rushed to the scene, transferring the injured to nearby hospitals for urgent treatment.
Social media footage of the aftermath, widely shared by visitors, showed the mangled remains of the ride and the chaos that followed. Many users expressed outrage, blaming “gross negligence” in maintenance and calling for stricter enforcement of safety protocols in amusement facilities.
Authorities in Taif have launched a full investigation to determine the cause of the collapse and assess whether the park complied with mandatory safety and maintenance regulations. Early reports suggest that insufficient routine maintenance may have contributed to the structural failure.
The incident has reignited public debate over amusement park safety standards in the Kingdom, with many urging the government to implement stricter inspection measures, particularly during the busy tourism season.
Saudi officials said a comprehensive safety review of the park is underway, and a detailed report on the causes and preventive measures is expected in the coming days.
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