Seven children were injured after a “flying chairs” fairground ride collapsed during a ride in El Callao, Venezuela.
The incident happened at around 10.20pm on Saturday, when the ride reportedly malfunctioned and collapsed while in operation.
Footage from the scene showed panicked bystanders rushing to help, with several attempting to lift the wreckage to reach the children trapped underneath.
The injured children were taken to hospital for treatment. Authorities said their injuries included cuts and bruises, although the full extent of their injuries was not immediately known.
Preliminary reports suggested the collapse may have been caused by a failure involving the ride’s rotating shaft or central metal base, causing the structure to detach and send riders crashing towards the ground.
The fairground was immediately closed following the incident, while authorities launched an investigation into the cause of the malfunction.
Experts are expected to inspect the ride to determine whether poor maintenance, worn materials or faulty assembly contributed to the collapse.
The investigation will also establish whether anyone should face legal or criminal responsibility over the accident.
The incident comes amid several fairground ride accidents reported around the world.
In May, a similar swing ride malfunctioned in India, sending five people, including two teenagers, to hospital. One of the injured victims was reportedly in critical condition.
In April, 11 people were injured when a fairground ride in southern Brazil collapsed after cables snapped. One victim suffered a fractured vertebra.
