Three children were injured after a Ferris wheel cabin collapsed during a local fair in Sialkot’s Kotli Loharan area, triggering public concern over safety lapses at temporary amusement sites.
The incident occurred on Sunday when a cabin detached mid-ride, leaving two young boys and a girl hanging from the main structure. A video of the accident, which later circulated widely on social media, shows the ride continuing to swing as the children screamed for help. Moments later, they fell to the ground and sustained injuries.
Rescue officials and police arrived at the scene and shifted the injured children to a nearby hospital, where they were reported to be in stable condition. Authorities also registered a case against the ride owner and operator, both of whom were taken into custody.
Initial investigations revealed that the Ferris wheel had been installed without mandatory approval, as no no-objection certificate (NOC) had been obtained from the relevant authorities.
Deputy Commissioner Sialkot Saba Asghar Ali took immediate notice of the incident, ordering the site to be sealed and directing the registration of a formal first information report (FIR). She also suspended the district council enforcement officer and the assistant sub-inspector assigned to duty at the fair, citing negligence in oversight and safety enforcement.
The incident has renewed calls for stricter checks on amusement rides, particularly those set up temporarily during fairs, to prevent similar accidents and ensure public safety.
