Surajkund Mela tragedy: Festival continues despite joyride that killed 1, 13 injured; ride area shut

FARIDABAD: The Faridabad District Administration and the Surajkund Fair Authority on Sunday confirmed that the 39th Surajkund International Crafts Festival will continue as scheduled, a day after the incident in which a joyride collapsed at the Surajkund Mela, leaving one police officer dead and 13 people injured.Officials said the amusement ride area at the Surajkund Mela has been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure. The section will remain shut until the investigation is completed and safety checks are reviewed."The 39th Surajkund International Crafts Festival will continue as scheduled on Sunday. In light of the recent unfortunate incident, the amusement ride area has been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure until further investigation is complete," an official said.The district administration said a detailed review of safety norms has been initiated and the incident is being examined by the concerned authorities."All other cultural, craft, food, and entertainment programmes within the festival grounds are completely safe and operating smoothly. The safety of tourists and the general public is the top priority of the administration and the Fair Authority," the official added.The clarification comes a day after a joyride collapsed at the Surajkund Mela, killing a police inspector and injuring 13 others. The officer died while trying to help visitors after noticing the ride had begun to tilt. Faridabad Deputy Commissioner Ayush Sinha said a case would be registered against the ride operator.Explaining the incident, Sinha said, "At about 6.15 pm, an unfortunate incident occurred here. A joyride collapsed at Surajkand. In this incident, around 13 people got injured. They have been rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. A Police Inspector was declared brought dead; he had tried to save people when the joyride began tilting. But a part of the joyride hit him in the face and head. Others are under treatment. Action will be taken against the joyride operator...an FIR will be registered, and an investigation will be done."Following the incident, Haryana chief minister Nayab Saini expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased officer and directed officials to ensure immediate medical care for the injured.In a post on his official X handle, Saini said, "I am deeply saddened by the accident that occurred during the Surajkund Mela in Faridabad. I express my heartfelt condolences to the family of the person who lost his life in this incident. At the same time, necessary directions have been issued to the concerned authorities for the appropriate and immediate treatment of the injured individuals. The Haryana government is fully committed, with utmost promptness and sensitivity, to providing all possible assistance to the injured and their families."