A two-person capsule on the Steel Max slingshot struck a support tower and came to rest above the ground at Seville’s Feria de Abril on Friday evening, injuring four people. Authorities said a cable detached while the ride was in motion; the attraction was sealed and Policía Nacional has opened an inquiry.

The incident The accident occurred at roughly 20:20 local time during the busy Feria de Abril fair in Seville when one of the cables on a slingshot-style attraction came loose while the ride was in motion. Media reports identified the machine as Steel Max, which uses tensioned side cables to launch a two-person capsule. On Friday evening a cable detached, sending the capsule swinging into a support tower before it stopped above ground. Two minors were inside the capsule at the time. Emergency crews brought them down, gave first aid on site and took them to a medical centre for checks. Two other bystanders near the ride also suffered minor injuries. Authorities said all four sustained only minor harm. Video shared online showed the capsule striking part of the structure and crowds gathering as emergency services arrived. The immediate area was cleared and barriers were set up while crews secured the ride and assisted bystanders. Emergency response and official action Firefighters, Protección Civil and Seville’s Policía Local were among the first responders. Civil protection workers cordoned off the attraction and kept the public at a safe distance. The wider fairground remained open after emergency teams completed initial work, but the site around the ride was sealed for inspection. Policía Nacional has opened an investigation into the cause of the malfunction. Investigators are expected to examine the ride, review maintenance logs and check the documentation that authorised the attraction to operate during the fair. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the problem was a broken cable, a release-system fault or another mechanical issue. What the ride is and how it failed The attraction is a reverse-bungee, or slingshot, style ride where a capsule carrying one or two passengers is launched by tensioned cables. Accounts describe the ride as propelling a two-person capsule into the air at high speed, subjecting riders to strong acceleration forces. Temporary thrill rides are common in European fairs and are often assembled and certified rapidly for short events. Calle del Infierno — literally the Street of Hell — is a concentrated area of attractions and stalls that draws large crowds during Feria de Abril, which mixes rides with food, music and hundreds of casetas. Inspection, liability and festival operations After the incident the attraction was sealed and officials began checking paperwork and safety records. The inspection will look at whether required maintenance was carried out and if the ride met documentation standards for temporary attractions at the fair. Authorities said they would check the condition of the ride and the records covering its operation. Organisers kept much of the fair open and activity continued nearby once emergency teams finished initial work, limiting the immediate economic effect. Operators of temporary rides typically depend on short, intense revenue periods during events like Feria de Abril.

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Policía Nacional has taken charge of the inquiry and the Steel Max attraction remains sealed while investigators inspect its condition and operating documentation.

This article was created with AI assistance.