In a heart-pounding incident that sent shockwaves through the bustling Baliyatra fairgrounds, a popular “Diamond Hammer” ride malfunctioned late Wednesday night, leaving eight people—including a woman and four children—trapped in a dangling bucket 50 feet above the ground.
The rescue operation, involving firefighters and a sky lift, unfolded without any injuries, but the episode has sparked outrage over safety lapses and prompted an investigation into the ride’s operations.
The chaos erupted around 11 p.m. at the fair’s lower grounds, where the hammer-shaped ride—capable of accommodating 16 to 20 riders in two counter-rotating buckets—was in full swing. Eyewitnesses described a scene straight out of a nightmare: as one bucket ascended to its peak height, it abruptly froze due to a suspected mechanical failure, stranding its occupants in a precarious, swaying position. The riders’ desperate screams echoed across the crowded venue, creating an atmosphere of sheer panic and halting nearby activities.
“People were screaming for help, and their families near the ticket counter were in hysterics,” said one fairgoer, who witnessed the unfolding drama. Relatives of the trapped individuals clashed verbally with ride operators, leading to tense standoffs that required police intervention.
Senior officers, including Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Khilari Rishikesh Dyanadeo, rushed to the scene alongside district administration officials and the fire brigade.
In a precautionary measure, power to the entire fairground was immediately disconnected to prevent any sudden reactivation of the ride, which could have escalated the mishap into a tragedy. The blackout lasted nearly two hours, plunging the area into temporary darkness while rescue teams assessed the situation. The ride’s central arm, suspended mid-air like a giant pendulum, made extraction challenging, as there were no immediate tools available to lower the bucket safely.
Firefighters ultimately deployed a sky lift machine to reach the dangling gondola. Braving the heights, rescue personnel manoeuvred the lift to the bucket’s edge, methodically evacuating each of the eight terrified riders one by one. Among them were four children and one woman, all of whom had boarded the ride earlier in groups of about 20 for what was meant to be a thrilling evening diversion.
The operation, which stretched over a gruelling couple of hours, concluded without incident, and all rescued individuals were promptly taken for medical checks. Four ambulances were stationed at the site to facilitate the swift evacuation, with district authorities overseeing the entire process.
The incident has raised serious questions about ride safety protocols at the annual Baliyatra fair, one of Odisha’s largest cultural extravaganzas. Official guidelines mandate that all amusement rides cease operations by 10:30 p.m., yet the hammer ride was reportedly still running at 11 p.m.—a violation that has drawn sharp criticism. Compounding the concerns, sources revealed that the “Diamond Hammer” had been shut down for two days prior due to recurring mechanical glitches. How it was cleared to resume without proper inspections remains a mystery, and authorities have announced a thorough probe to uncover any negligence.
“While we’re relieved no one was hurt, this could have been catastrophic. A full investigation will determine accountability, and stricter enforcement of safety norms is non-negotiable,” DCP Dyanadeo told reporters post-rescue.
As the fair continues to draw lakhs of visitors, organisers have vowed to review all mechanical rides amid heightened scrutiny. For now, the Bali Yatra grounds breathe a collective sigh of relief, but the close call serves as a stark reminder of the razor-thin line between fun and peril in such spectacles.
