Thrill Seekers Trapped 100ft in Air for Four Hours After Fairground Ride Malfunction
- Seven thrill-seekers spent nearly four hours suspended approximately 100 feet in the air after the Gigant pendulum ride malfunctioned at the 2026 Almería Fair in Spain, according to...
- Local Police officers at the La Vega de Acá Fairground quickly cordoned off the area to keep gathering crowds at a safe distance from the stalled structure.
- Concertgoers watching Mestiza perform at the fairground's Concert Venue saw the gig cancelled so that emergency crews could carry out the rescue operation in silence.
Seven thrill-seekers spent nearly four hours suspended approximately 100 feet in the air after the Gigant pendulum ride malfunctioned at the 2026 Almería Fair in Spain, according to local reports. The technical failure occurred shortly after 11 p.m. on Friday, August 28, leaving passengers dangling between 28 and 30 meters above the ground on the fair’s penultimate night.
Fairground Rescue Operation Details
Local Police officers at the La Vega de Acá Fairground quickly cordoned off the area to keep gathering crowds at a safe distance from the stalled structure. Initial attempts by firefighters to reach the trapped passengers proved unsuccessful, causing fear among those stranded on the ride. At 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 29, firefighters from Almería and the Poniente area finally began lowering the first passengers using a large ladder deployed from a fire engine, as reported by Need To Know. The rescue operation required extreme caution because the ride’s passenger gondola could rotate freely. Removing individuals altered the weight distribution and threatened the stability of the entire structure. Firefighters had to work gradually from multiple points around the gondola to control its movements. The final passenger reached the ground safely at 3 a.m., concluding the operation with no injuries reported.
Impact on Fairground Events
The malfunction disrupted more than just the ride itself. Concertgoers watching Mestiza perform at the fairground’s Concert Venue saw the gig cancelled so that emergency crews could carry out the rescue operation in silence. A.C.D. Congratulations to our colleagues on the work carried out.
Thanks to Bomberos del Poniente for their assistance.
Need To Know
