A school excursion ended in panic in Madhya Pradesh’s Jhabua when an amusement ride collapsed at a local fair, injuring 14 students and triggering a magisterial inquiry into alleged safety lapses and negligence.
A joyful school outing turned into a nightmare on Monday afternoon when a large amusement ride collapsed at the Maharaj No Melo fair in Jhabua district, Madhya Pradesh, injuring 14 schoolchildren, most of them girls.
The incident occurred around 4 pm, when students from the Government School of Excellence were enjoying a giant swing ride, commonly referred to as a Pirate Ship or Dragon Swing.
According to preliminary reports, the ride broke mid-operation, causing the metal structure to tilt and slam passengers against a nearby wall before parts of it crashed to the ground. Panic ensued as children screamed for help, while teachers, parents, and bystanders rushed to rescue the injured.
All the students were immediately taken to the Jhabua District Hospital, where doctors confirmed that most had sustained fractures, bruises, and head injuries.
While the majority are now stable, two students remain under close medical observation due to the severity of their injuries.
Eyewitness Accounts and Scenes of Chaos
Eyewitnesses at the fair described scenes of confusion and fear in the moments following the collapse. Several videos circulated on social media showed the swing snapping while in motion, with children being thrown off balance as the structure gave way.
Local residents claimed that the ride appeared overcrowded and questioned whether routine safety inspections had been conducted. “There was no visible safety belt, and too many children were seated at once,” said a shopkeeper who witnessed the accident. Teachers accompanying the students were seen trying to calm the children and coordinate emergency transport amid the chaos.
Parents of the injured students rushed to the hospital upon receiving news of the incident, many visibly shaken. Some accused the fair organisers of negligence and demanded strict action.
Officials Respond, Inquiry Ordered
District authorities acted swiftly following the incident. Jhabua District Collector Neha Meena visited the hospital to assess the condition of the injured students and assure families of medical support. Speaking to reporters, she confirmed that a magisterial inquiry had been ordered to investigate the cause of the collapse.
“A detailed probe will examine whether safety norms were followed and whether there was any negligence on the part of the organisers or operators of the ride. Strict action will be taken against those found responsible,” the Collector said.
In addition, a multi-departmental team, including officials from the police, Public Works Department, and electricity board, has been tasked with inspecting the site and reviewing the ride’s structural integrity, installation process, and operating permissions.
As a precautionary measure, authorities temporarily halted the operation of other amusement rides at the fair pending safety inspections.
About the Fair and Its Popularity
The Maharaj No Melo fair is an annual event held in memory of Khumsingh Maharaj, a revered tribal saint, and attracts thousands of visitors from across the region. Over the years, the fair has grown in scale, featuring food stalls, cultural performances, and amusement rides that are especially popular among children.
However, like many temporary fairs across India, rides are often installed by private operators on short-term contracts, raising concerns about regulation, maintenance, and accountability. Safety certifications, load limits, and operator training are frequently alleged to be inadequately enforced.
This incident has once again brought attention to the risks associated with temporary amusement structures, particularly when schoolchildren are involved.
A Pattern of Neglect and Past Incidents
The Jhabua accident is not an isolated case. Similar incidents involving ride collapses or malfunctions have been reported from different parts of the country in recent years, often during fairs and festivals. In several cases, investigations later revealed poor maintenance, use of substandard materials, or lack of official clearance.
Child safety advocates argue that children are especially vulnerable in such settings, where excitement and crowd pressure can override caution. School outings, they stress, require additional layers of responsibility from both educational institutions and event organisers.
The recurring nature of these accidents raises questions about whether lessons from past tragedies are being adequately implemented on the ground.
Voices of Parents and the Community
Parents of the injured students have demanded accountability and compensation. “We send our children on school trips trusting that they will be safe. This was completely avoidable,” said the mother of a Class 8 student who suffered a fractured arm.
Community members have also called for stricter checks before allowing rides to operate, especially when children are expected to use them. Some have urged the district administration to create a standard safety checklist for all public events involving amusement rides.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This tragic incident highlights a painful truth: preventable negligence continues to put children at risk in spaces meant for joy and recreation. While ordering inquiries after accidents is necessary, it is not enough.
Proactive safety audits, transparent licensing processes, and strict enforcement of child safety norms must become standard practice – not reactive measures after lives are endangered.
At The Logical Indian, we believe empathy must translate into systemic change. Ensuring safety is not merely a bureaucratic obligation but a moral responsibility shared by authorities, organisers, schools, and society at large.
