Major scare at Keonjhar fair as joyride stuck midair, 25 persons rescued safely

What was meant to be an evening of fun and festivity turned into a moment of panic at the Kali Puja fair in Keonjhar town, after a giant rolling tower ride suddenly got stuck mid-air, leaving more than 20 people stranded for several minutes.

According to sources, the incident occurred on Friday evening when the popular ‘rolling tower’ ride, one of the main attractions at the ongoing Kali Puja Mela, abruptly halted while operating at full height. The ride, which lifts passengers high into the air before rapidly descending, came to a sudden stop, leaving riders dangling several feet above the ground.

Eyewitnesses said panic spread among the fairgoers as the ride failed to move for several minutes. Local police, municipal officials, and the Fire Services team were immediately informed. 

A rescue operation was swiftly launched with the help of a fire tender and a municipal rescue vehicle. After a careful and coordinated effort, all the stranded passengers were safely brought down.

Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries or casualties. Officials confirmed that everyone trapped inside was rescued unharmed, though several people were visibly shaken by the ordeal.

The cause of the mechanical failure remains unclear. Preliminary reports suggest a possible technical snag or sudden power disruption, though an official investigation has been ordered by local authorities to determine the exact reason for the malfunction.

“The joyride developed a technical snag, leaving around 25 riders stranded midair. Fire Services personnel were immediately deployed, and all of them were rescued safely. Further investigation is underway to ascertain the circumstances under which the incident occurred,” said Rabindra Kumar Pradhan, Keonjhar Additional District Magistrate.

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Meanwhile, the incident has raised concerns about safety standards and the regular maintenance of amusement rides installed at local fairs. Despite the scare, the fair resumed after the rescue operation, with police and municipal officials tightening monitoring to prevent any further mishaps.

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