A malfunction on a spinning platform at Tona’s main festival left two girls hospitalised and seven others injured. The ride was sealed off for investigation. Most victims were minors.
An accident at the closing night of Tona’s main festival in Barcelona province sent two girls, aged 12 and 14, to hospital with fractures after a fairground attraction malfunctioned. The incident occurred just before midnight, when a door on a spinning, inclined platform unexpectedly opened while the ride was in motion. According to municipal sources cited by EFE, the sudden failure caused injuries to nine people, eight of whom were minors.
Emergency services responded quickly, transferring the two most seriously affected girls to Vic Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Three others with minor injuries were also taken to the same hospital, while the remaining victims were treated on site for bruises and contusions. The majority of those hurt were children enjoying the festivities on the last day of the event.
The attraction was immediately sealed off by authorities, pending a technical inspection to determine the cause of the malfunction. Local officials have launched an investigation to clarify how the safety door could have opened during operation. The incident has renewed attention on the safety standards of temporary amusement rides at local festivals, especially those frequented by families and children.
While such accidents are rare, they highlight ongoing concerns about the oversight and maintenance of mobile attractions in Spain. In a related context, issues around emergency care and the handling of accident victims have also been discussed in other regions, as seen when patients faced extended stays in Madrid’s Puerta de Hierro hospital due to systemic challenges.
Spain’s regional festivals often feature temporary amusement rides, which are subject to local safety checks and regulations. However, the frequency of inspections and the standards applied can vary between municipalities. After incidents like the one in Tona, authorities typically review protocols and may introduce stricter controls or additional checks for future events. For families attending such festivals, the incident serves as a reminder to remain vigilant about ride safety and to pay attention to visible maintenance and operator instructions. The investigation in Tona is ongoing, and the attraction will remain closed until all findings are reviewed and necessary measures are implemented.
