Latest news with #PrinceSaud
Telegraph
12 hours ago
- Telegraph
Fairground ride snaps mid-air in Saudi Arabia
A theme park ride in Saudi Arabia snapped in mid-air, sending riders tumbling to the ground and injuring at least 23 people. Footage captured the moment the 360 Big Pendulum ride at Green Mountain Park, in the south-western city of Taif, broke apart and swung violently towards the ground. Three people were critically injured in the incident, state media reported on Thursday. In the video, which has been widely shared online, more than two dozen people strapped into chairs on the outside of a circular carousel can be seen being swung back and forth. Moments later, as the ride gains speed on the upward swing, a cracking sound can be heard as the central pole suddenly splits. It recoils at high speed, causing the carousel to smash into the other end of the pendulum, striking some of the riders. Horrified screams can be heard as the platform comes crashing down. The safety harnesses largely appear to remain intact, however, and the riders appear to land still in their seats. Local authorities in the Al-Hada area of Taif, near the city of Jeddah, have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the malfunction. Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, the region's governor, ordered the immediate closure of the resort, according to Arab News. It comes after a 13-year-old boy was riding a similar Pendulum 360 ride in April when he slipped from his seat and fell to the ground. He suffered multiple fractures but survived the incident in Batu, Indonesia. The same month, a 24-year-old woman was killed after she fell from a chair swing ride at a fairground in Delhi. According to reports, the ride's central structure broke as it reached the top of the swing and the victim was thrown into the air.
CNN
15 hours ago
- CNN
Fairground ride snaps mid-air in Saudi Arabia, injuring 23, state media reports
At least 23 people were injured, three of them critically, when a fairground ride buckled in Saudi Arabia, sending passengers crashing to the ground, state media reported Thursday. Videos verified by CNN showed the '360 Big Pendulum' ride collapse while in use, causing the passenger-bearing circular carousel to smash into the other end of the pendulum before hitting the floor. The accident occurred Wednesday evening at an amusement park in the Al-Hada area of Taif, near the city of Jeddah, state media Arab News reported. According to state-controlled outlet Arab News, Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, the region's governor, ordered the immediate closure of the resort while an investigation into the collapse takes place. This is a developing story and will be updated.
CNN
15 hours ago
- CNN
Fairground ride snaps mid-air in Saudi Arabia, injuring 23, state media reports
At least 23 people were injured, three of them critically, when a fairground ride buckled in Saudi Arabia, sending passengers crashing to the ground, state media reported Thursday. Videos verified by CNN showed the '360 Big Pendulum' ride collapse while in use, causing the passenger-bearing circular carousel to smash into the other end of the pendulum before hitting the floor. The accident occurred Wednesday evening at an amusement park in the Al-Hada area of Taif, near the city of Jeddah, state media Arab News reported. According to state-controlled outlet Arab News, Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, the region's governor, ordered the immediate closure of the resort while an investigation into the collapse takes place. This is a developing story and will be updated.
Arab News
16 hours ago
- Arab News
Taif governor orders probe into amusement ride collapse
JEDDAH: An amusement park in the Al-Hada area of Taif has been shut down pending an investigation into the collapse of a ride that left 23 people injured. The '360 Big Pendulum' ride collapsed while in operation on Wednesday evening. In a statement posted on the regional government's X account, Taif Gov. Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz ordered the immediate closure of the resort, pending an investigation. 'Several injuries occurred; some were treated at the site, while others were transferred to hospital care,' the statement read. There were no fatalities reported. According to eyewitness accounts and videos circulating on social media, the ride, which swings passengers in a large arc, experienced a structural failure in its central column, which split horizontally while in motion. This caused the passenger-bearing arm of the pendulum to crash into the ground, while riders were strapped to their seats. Footage shared by park visitors shows chaotic scenes moments after the collapse, with several passengers injured from the initial impact and others struck as components from the ride recoiled at high speed, hitting individuals seated on the opposite side. Emergency teams described varying injuries, with three people in critical condition. Authorities responded swiftly, with civil defense, emergency medical services, and security personnel arriving at the scene shortly after the incident was reported. The injured were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment, while some received first aid on-site. The incident has prompted public concern over safety regulations at recreational facilities, with calls for more stringent inspections and accountability. The authorities are expected to release preliminary findings in the coming days.
Gulf Business
21-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
Saudi Arabia launches $426m airport upgrade in Eastern Province
Image: Saudi Press Agency Eastern Region Governor Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz has inaugurated the new identity and master plan for King Fahd International Airport, along with the master plans for Al-Ahsa and Al-Qaisumah international airports. The announcement was made during a ceremony that also saw the launch of the Dammam Airports Strategy and a comprehensive package of infrastructure and development initiatives. Valued at more than SAR1.6bn ($426m), the package includes 77 projects aimed at improving operational efficiency and enhancing the passenger experience. As part of the launch, the governor announced a new national low-cost airline, Air Arabia, which will be based at King Fahd International Airport. The carrier is expected to serve 24 domestic and 57 international destinations. He also inaugurated newly installed electronic gates to streamline passenger processing at the airport. Read: The event was attended by Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Saleh Al-Jasser; GACA President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej; and Director General of Passports, Major General Dr. Saleh Al-Murabba. Passenger intake The strategic development plan for King Fahd International Airport aims to accommodate more than 19.3 million passengers annually by 2030, more than double the number recorded in 2022. It also targets a significant expansion in air cargo handling, increasing capacity to over 600,000 tonnes per year—a 1,000 per cent increase—as part of the airport's transformation into a regional logistics hub aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. Planned upgrades include boosting the airport's operational capacity to manage 77 aircraft movements per hour and raising annual passenger handling capacity to 32 million. Additional improvements are planned for general aviation facilities and supporting infrastructure to meet global standards. By the end of 2024, King Fahd International Airport had recorded a 35 per cent increase in passenger traffic compared to 2022.
