Surajkund Mela swing collapse: Artisans react after the tragedy, say mood had turned sombre at the fair

The Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2026 continues albeit with less vigour, after a swing malfunction lead to 13 injured and one dead. Artisans share more

Disturbing visuals from the Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2026 began circulating on social media on Saturday (February 7) evening, showing a 360-degree pendulum swing collapsing mid-ride. The incident claimed the life of an on-duty police inspector, while at least 13 people were injured, according to official reports.

A view of the collapsed joyride, which led to the death of a police inspector and injured 13 people at the Surajkund International Atmanirbhar Crafts Mela 2026, in Faridabad, on Saturday. (Photo: ANI )

The video left many in shock and triggered questions around safety at the popular fair. While visitors continued to trickle in over the weekend, artisans say the mood inside the mela has turned sombre, even as stalls remained open and activities carried on.

Kesavan, a Thanjavur painting artisan from Tamil Nadu, echoes that the atmosphere was subdued the next morning. “Sunday ko kaam shuru ho gaya tha, par swings bandh the. Saturday shaam ko logon ko time par madad mil gayi thi. Us waqt humein bhi clearly nahi pata tha ki kya hua hai,” he says.

International stall owners, too, say they became aware of the incident only later. Aziz, an artisan from Afghanistan, shares, “Saturday ko kaafi bheed thi. Jab jhoola gira tab pata nahi chala. Baad mein logon se suna. Ab police presence zyada dikh rahi hai aur log dekh kar aa rahe hain. Mela chal raha hai.”

Officials have said investigations into the incident are underway.

For more, follow HT City Delhi Junction