Ahmedabad: A joyride at Balvatika amusement park in Ahmedabad crashed and left two people who were on board, dead, while at least 15 were injured on Sunday (July 14).

The pendulum-type-oscillating ride has the capacity to carry 31 people, snapped mid air and came crashing down. The ride was suspended on a pole-like structure that snapped and sent the pendulum crashing to the ground.

Confirming two deaths, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) commissioner, Vijay Nehra, who was supervising the rescue operations, said they were taken to a hospital.

“The AMC fire department conducted swift disaster response operations. The heads of departments of paediatrics, ortho and surgery reported to the hospital and the injured are being treated,” Nehra said.

Nehra added that the police along with the forensic team were probing the incident.

He also demanded strict regulations for inspection and safety of these rides. Alleging lapse by AMC officials, Sharma said contractors allow more people than the stipulated number on the rides to increase their profit.

Gujarat home minister Pradipsinh Jadeja visited the injured, who have been admitted to LG Hospital.

“Chief minister Vijay Rupani is in constant touch with the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and police regarding the accident. He has offered full assistance to the affected. AMC will bear the cost of treatment for the injured. A probe is on to find whether a licence and approval was given to the amusement company to operate the joyride. The maintenance of the joyride is being checked by Forensic Science Laboratory,” said Jadeja.

The New Indian Express quoted Rajesh Bhatt, additional chief fire officer of Ahmedabad, as saying that the contract of the joyride was given to Superstar Amusement Private Limited.

“Superstar Amusement Private Limited was given the contract to operate five joyrides in the Amusement Park area near Kankaria riverfront. We are collecting information regarding the ride’s individual parts, how were they assembled and the sequence of assembling to understand more about the mishap,” said Bhatt.

“The AMC or the fire department have not laid down rules for these rides. The ruling BJP is responsible for this accident as these contracts are awarded as per their interests to their people,” Dinesh Sharma said in a statement.

Officials of the Superstar Amusement Private Limited could not be contacted.