Chennai amusement park horror: 30 stranded mid-air on ‘topgun’ ride

On May 27, 2025, a routine visit to a popular amusement park on Chennai’s East Coast Road turned into a harrowing experience for dozens of visitors.

Transcript

00:00On May 27, 2025, a terrifying incident unfolded at a private amusement park on Chennai's East

00:09Coast Road where 30 people, including women and children, were left stranded mid-air after a

00:15joyride malfunctioned. The ride, called Top Gun, abruptly came to a halt around 6pm following a

00:22loud noise from its right engine. The sudden failure left all passengers trapped more than

00:2750 feet above the ground, hanging helplessly in their seats. The situation turned even more

00:32distressing when it was revealed that the rescue operations didn't begin until 9.30pm, over three

00:38hours after the malfunction occurred. During that time, the stranded riders remained suspended in

00:44the air facing the evening heat and growing anxiety. Fire and Rescue Services personnel arrived at the

00:50scene and launched a complex operation to bring down the individuals one by one using a giant crane.

00:55emergency responders managed to provide water and biscuits to the riders during the wait.

01:00On the same day, late in the evening, all 30 people were safely rescued. There were no immediate reports

01:07of serious injuries, but the incident has raised urgent concerns about safety standards and emergency

01:12protocols at private amusement parks. Authorities are expected to launch an investigation into what

01:18caused the mechanical failure and why it took hours for the rescue to begin. This is not an isolated concern.

01:24According to a global study of amusement ride accidents, India accounts for around 20% of reported deaths

01:31with 13 out of 66 fatalities occurring in the country. Every year, an estimated 4,500 people suffer

01:39injuries in Indian amusement parks ranging from minor accidents to serious disfigurements, dislocations,

01:46injuries and even fatalities. Despite having around 155 amusement parks and a growing industry valued at

01:53approximately Rs 25 to 30 billion, India's amusement sector remains largely unregulated with no mandatory

02:02safety audits or uniform enforcement of safety standards in place. As the industry expands, this latest

02:08incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for stricter oversight and regulatory reforms to ensure

02:15the safety of the public safety.