Four people injured as fairground ride snaps mid-air leaving onlookers horrified

Four people including two minors have been injured after a fairground ride malfunctioned at Sevilla’s Feria de abril, leading to an emergency response and an investigation by police. The incident took place on Friday evening in the amusement zone known as Calle del Infierno, where temporary rides and attractions operate during the annual celebration.

The ride involved has been identified by Spanish media as Steel Max, a slingshot-style attraction that propels a passenger capsule into the air using two side cables. Reports state that one of the cables came loose during operation at around 08.20 pm local time, causing the capsule to swing into part of the structure before stopping above the ground.

Passengers rescued after impact

Two minors were inside the capsule when the malfunction happened. Emergency crews were called to the scene and worked to bring them down safely. Both passengers were later taken to a medical centre for checks after receiving initial assistance at the fairground. Two other people nearby have also been reported injured. Authorities said all four sustained minor injuries. No names, ages or further medical details have been released.

Videos shared online appeared to show the capsule striking one of the support towers after the cable detached. The footage also showed crowds gathering near the attraction as emergency services arrived and the area was cleared.

Emergency services secure the area

Firefighters, Protección Civil and Sevilla’s Policía local attended the scene shortly after the alarm was raised. Their first actions were to secure the ride, assist those involved and prevent access to the surrounding area.

The attraction was later sealed off while officials began examining its condition and checking the documentation required for operation at the fair. Barriers were placed around the site and members of the public were kept at a distance while the response continued. The wider fairground remained open after the incident, with activity continuing in nearby areas once emergency teams had finished their initial work.

🚨🎥 ACCIDENTE EN PLENA FERIA

Una atracción tipo “tirachinas humano”, Steel Max, en la Calle del Infierno, sufre un accidente este jueves sobre las 20:20 h.

🎡 Rotura durante el funcionamiento
🚑 4 heridos leves
🏥 2 trasladados a centro sanitario

Rápida intervención de los… pic.twitter.com/umBX0PRWwj

— SPLS – SINDICATO POLICÍA LOCAL DE SEVILLA (@splsevilla) April 25, 2026

Police inquiry under way

The Policía nacional has opened an investigation into the cause of the malfunction. Officials have not yet confirmed whether the problem was caused by a broken cable, a fault in the release system or another mechanical issue.

Investigators are expected to review the ride itself, inspect maintenance records and examine whether all safety checks had been completed before it opened to the public. No timeline has been given for the conclusion of the inquiry. It is also unlikely that the attraction will reopen during the remainder of the fair. Any decision is likely to depend on the outcome of the technical assessment and the findings of police.

One of Sevilla’s largest annual events

The Feria de Abril is one of Sevilla’s best-known events and attracts large numbers of residents and visitors each year. The celebration is centred on temporary marquees, music, food and horse parades, while Calle del Infierno hosts amusement rides and game stalls for families and younger visitors.

Although the fair continued after the accident, the incident caused concern among people nearby and quickly drew attention on social media after witness videos were posted online. Accidents involving fairground rides are uncommon, but when they occur they often lead to questions about inspection procedures, maintenance standards and the oversight of temporary attractions installed for major public events.

Further scrutiny expected

The focus will now be on determining exactly what happened in the moments before the cable came loose and whether the failure could have been prevented. Investigators will also consider whether the ride had shown any earlier signs of mechanical problems. For visitors, the immediate concern was the safety of those trapped in the capsule. With injuries reported as minor, attention has now shifted to the official inquiry and whether any wider lessons need to be learned before similar attractions are allowed to operate again.

The findings of the investigation are expected to determine not only the future of the Steel Max ride at this year’s fair, but also whether additional checks are introduced for other attractions at large seasonal events across Spain.