New Delhi: A day after a giant ‘Tsunami’ swing snapped mid-air and crashed at the Surajkund International Crafts Mela, police on Sunday arrested the ride operator and a staffer in connection with the incident that killed an on-duty inspector and injured 12 others.

The accident occurred around 6.15 pm on Saturday at the Surajkund fairgrounds when about 26 people were on the swing. The ride suddenly tilted and slammed to the ground, triggering panic among visitors.

Two held, SIT probes roles of others

Police said an FIR had been registered at the Surajkund police station under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the operator and staff. The arrests were made by a special investigation team constituted to probe the case.

“A special investigation team formed to probe the incident has arrested two accused – Mohammad Shakir, a resident of Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmour district, and the proprietor of Himachal Fun Care that operated the giant swing, and Nitesh from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, who worked under Shakir,” a Faridabad police spokesperson told PTI, adding that the roles of others were under examination.

Inspector dies during rescue attempt

The deceased, Inspector Jagdish Prasad, 58, lost his life while trying to rescue people trapped under the collapsed ride, Faridabad police commissioner Satender Kumar Gupta told Hindustan Times. Police said the inspector’s body was handed over to his family on Sunday after an autopsy.

All injured persons are undergoing treatment at two hospitals and their condition is stable, Gupta said.

Second mishap at the fair

This was the second accident reported at the Surajkund fair this year. Earlier, a designer gate had collapsed at Entrance No. 2.  Despite the incident, the district administration said the fair would continue on Sunday, while the swing area has been cordoned off pending further investigation.

Haryana CM orders probe, announces aid

Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday directed officials to ensure strict adherence to safety standards at the fair and other public events so that such accidents do not recur.

According to PTI, Saini termed the death and injuries in the swing collapse as painful and said a probe had been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident. He announced financial assistance of ₹1 lakh each to those seriously injured and expressed condolences to the family of Inspector Jagdish Prasad, saying the state government stood firmly with them.

Compensation and martyr status announced

Haryana director general of police Ajay Singhal had on Saturday announced a compensation of ₹1 crore for the deceased inspector and assured a government job to one of his family members. He said Prasad would be accorded the status of a martyr.

Singhal added that swings at the Surajkund fair are inspected daily and reports are prepared, PTI reported. He said a detailed report on the incident would be drawn up and strict action taken against those found responsible.