NEW DELHI: A major tragedy was averted after a giant wheel with people stopped mid-air at a fair in Narela on Wednesday. Delhi Fire Services said 20 people were rescued, including women and children.
Rescuers claimed that there was a chaotic situation at the spot; people who were trapped were screaming for help. In order to rescue those stuck on the ferris wheel, firefighters tied rope on the sides, physically moved the entire swing, and deboarded the people.
Visuals of the incident showed that the wheel had stopped midway, and people were seen standing on iron railings that were attached to the ferris wheel.
The fire department received a call about the incident in Subhash Ramlila Maidan in Narela at 11.10 pm on Wednesday. “Two fire tenders were sent to the spot, and it was found that 20 people were trapped. We had also brought an aerial ladder platform, but we were not able to use it as there were electricity wires,” an officer said.
The firefighters were led by fire station in-charge Nitin Joon. The area where the incident took place was congested as several people had gathered at the spot, the officer added.
The firefighters tied rope to the sides of the ferris wheel and slowly started moving. “One by one, people were deboarded from ferris wheel cabins. The whole operation was completed within an hour,” the officer said. Four men, 12 women, and four children were safely rescued, and no one was injured.
Another officer said the people who were rescued didn’t speak much as they were frightened. Atul Garg, director, Delhi Fire Services, said the firefighters acted wisely and ensured that all people were safely rescued.
“Some of the rescuers had gone to the upward side of the swing and tied rope. Apart from the 20 people rescued, we are also checking whether a few people went down on their own through the iron railings,” police said.
Deputy commissioner of police (outer north) Ravi Kumar said the giant wheel swing malfunctioned and got jammed. “It happened due to a technical glitch as two trollies of the ferris wheel tilted to one side and stopped spinning,” he said.
A case under sections 287 (negligent conduct with respect to machinery) and 336 (act endangering the life or personal safety of others) of the IPC was registered. “The swing area has been sealed, and intimation is being sent to MCD and licensing department for necessary action at their end,” he added.
According to an MCD official, a performance licence for the fair was issued by Delhi Police. “MCD has the responsibility to report regarding the working condition of joy rides after inspection, and the organisers have the responsibility to check the joy rides and carry out the maintenance activity on a daily basis before their operation during function to prevent any untoward incidents,” the official said.
The official added that after the incident, they have been directed to reinspect the joy rides at the fair, and a report will be submitted to Delhi Police.
Rescuers claimed that there was a chaotic situation at the spot; people who were trapped were screaming for help. In order to rescue those stuck on the ferris wheel, firefighters tied rope on the sides, physically moved the entire swing, and deboarded the people.
Visuals of the incident showed that the wheel had stopped midway, and people were seen standing on iron railings that were attached to the ferris wheel.
The fire department received a call about the incident in Subhash Ramlila Maidan in Narela at 11.10 pm on Wednesday. “Two fire tenders were sent to the spot, and it was found that 20 people were trapped. We had also brought an aerial ladder platform, but we were not able to use it as there were electricity wires,” an officer said.
The firefighters were led by fire station in-charge Nitin Joon. The area where the incident took place was congested as several people had gathered at the spot, the officer added.
The firefighters tied rope to the sides of the ferris wheel and slowly started moving. “One by one, people were deboarded from ferris wheel cabins. The whole operation was completed within an hour,” the officer said. Four men, 12 women, and four children were safely rescued, and no one was injured.
Another officer said the people who were rescued didn’t speak much as they were frightened. Atul Garg, director, Delhi Fire Services, said the firefighters acted wisely and ensured that all people were safely rescued.
“Some of the rescuers had gone to the upward side of the swing and tied rope. Apart from the 20 people rescued, we are also checking whether a few people went down on their own through the iron railings,” police said.
Deputy commissioner of police (outer north) Ravi Kumar said the giant wheel swing malfunctioned and got jammed. “It happened due to a technical glitch as two trollies of the ferris wheel tilted to one side and stopped spinning,” he said.
A case under sections 287 (negligent conduct with respect to machinery) and 336 (act endangering the life or personal safety of others) of the IPC was registered. “The swing area has been sealed, and intimation is being sent to MCD and licensing department for necessary action at their end,” he added.
According to an MCD official, a performance licence for the fair was issued by Delhi Police. “MCD has the responsibility to report regarding the working condition of joy rides after inspection, and the organisers have the responsibility to check the joy rides and carry out the maintenance activity on a daily basis before their operation during function to prevent any untoward incidents,” the official said.
The official added that after the incident, they have been directed to reinspect the joy rides at the fair, and a report will be submitted to Delhi Police.