The famous Sevilla Fair's Infierno Street witnessed one of the scariest incidents in recent years this Friday evening. A mechanical failure of the attraction called Steel Maxx, one of the most eye-catching rides in the amusement park, caused two children to be left hanging in the air and resulted in injuries to a total of four people, creating fear among families and participants.

The incident occurred while the attraction was in full operation, with hundreds of people enjoying a fun day. What was supposed to start as an entertaining moment turned into a scene filled with nerves, screams, and anxiety among parents watching their children, as the capsule became unstable due to one of the main cables snapping.

How the Failure Happened at Steel Maxx

According to information from Sevilla Emergencies, 112, and Civil Defense sources, the accident occurred this Friday, April 24, around 20:20-20:30, in an area beyond Costillares Street, one of the busiest areas for children and teenagers.

Steel Maxx is a large launch or slingshot type attraction connected to side poles by high-tension cables, with a two-person cabin. Its normal operation is based on stretching the cables and launching the capsule to height, with several up and down cycles repeated.

During one of these launches, one of the side cables snapped or came loose, suddenly altering the movement of the ball. Different versions indicate that the cabin lost its balance and crashed into part of the main structure, remaining suspended several meters high.

According to initial witnesses, the sphere remained in a lateral position and at a certain height, trapping two children inside who could not get out on their own. Below, spectators watched the scene with screams, recording on cell phones, and a mix of confusion and fear.

Several videos released later show the moment the system malfunctioned and the attraction remained motionless, heightening the feeling that the outcome could have been more serious.

Injured: Two Children Inside the Cabin and Two Spectators

The official toll of the incident was recorded as four people with minor injuries. Two of them were the children who were inside the cabin at the time of the malfunction, while the other two were among the spectators and were injured by a rope or piece that broke off from part of the structure.

The two children were identified by those around them as Carlos and Manuel, aged 17 and 11. They visited the fair with their mother, who accompanied them. Both were curious about amusement rides and were used to filming the most notable "cacharritos" videos of Spanish festivals and uploading them to their social media accounts.

According to their statement, they decided to ride the slingshot after checking the younger one's age. Although one admitted to feeling a kind of "bad feeling" before getting on, they eventually encouraged each other and settled into the sphere, not anticipating that a cable would snap during the third launch.

After the malfunction, the capsule hit a pole of the attraction and remained suspended several meters high. From above, the youths reported losing track of time, with one asking in fear what was happening and the other expressing concern that another cable might snap.

Rescue and Emergency Services Intervention

As soon as the malfunction was detected, the fair's emergency device was immediately activated. The fire department, Civil Defense, and health services quickly headed to the attraction, while the area was evacuated and the crowd was asked to move away to facilitate rescue efforts.

Witnesses at the scene reported that tense and anxious scenes unfolded in the early moments. However, some signs indicating that the children were conscious in the cabin somewhat alleviated the anxiety experienced by their families and friends watching from the ground.

Several members of the emergency response teams worked in coordination with park staff and those near the attraction to stabilize the sphere and reach inside. According to calculations made around the children, the entire maneuver is estimated to have taken about a quarter of an hour, but it felt infinite when viewed from below.

When the cabin opened, the children were evacuated one by one. First, the smallest child, who had visible wounds on his face and leg, was taken out, followed by the older one. Both were treated by the medical teams stationed at the Fairground.

According to protocols, although they initially appeared to be relatively fine, it was decided to transfer them to a hospital for further testing and to rule out internal injuries. They were discharged the next morning and returned home, still filled with fear.

Families' Testimonies and Concerns About the Company

The hours following the accident were filled with a mix of relief and anger for the families. The mother of one of the children stated that she received a phone call from a nurse reporting the accident and that her child was injured due to one of the attraction's ropes breaking, but was conscious and in no immediate danger.

This mother detailed that her child had bruises and pains in various parts of the body, but the worst part was the fear experienced. "They have pains but they are conscious," the medical teams said, and this statement did not fully reassure her until she saw him personally.

Maria, who was waiting at the exit of the attraction with her two children, witnessed the accident from the front row and recorded the moment of the malfunction with her own cell phone. She states that she is still affected by the incident and finds it difficult to relive that feeling of vulnerability while watching the footage.

The family expressed their anger due to the reaction of the staff of the Steel Maxx attraction. According to witnesses, some employees merely pointed out that "there are risks with such things" and left without addressing the children's condition after the rescue was completed.

In response to this situation, the affected families began to consider legal action against the responsible company for the attraction and are currently awaiting the official results of the ongoing technical investigation.

Safety Measures, Closure, and Opening of an Investigation

Following the rescue of the children and the treatment of four injured individuals, the Fire Department carried out the closure of the attraction and it was shut down to prevent it from operating again. At the same time, a wide security perimeter was established around the structure, preventing curious onlookers from passing through and facilitating the work of technicians and officials.

The local police reviewed the technical documents and permits of the facilities and ensured that the necessary prior inspections, certifications, and permits required to operate during the fair were in order.

Meanwhile, the National Police took over the investigation into the exact causes of the accident. Hypotheses to be analyzed include a possible maintenance error, wear and tear of materials due to continuous use, a structural defect in one of the components, or an operational error of the attraction.

Steel Maxx had been considered one of the classics of Infierno Street so far and had a significant flow of participants since the beginning of the fair. Its temporary closure left a striking image in the area, with lights and music contrasting with the motionless stance of a major attraction and security tapes.

Officials emphasized the rapid and coordinated response of all emergency services deployed at the Fair and stated that the priority issue was to ensure user safety and prevent greater damages in a crowded environment.

Social Reactions and Discussions on Fair Safety

The accident resonated greatly among both Fair participants and on social media; footage of the mechanical failure was shared within minutes. Many users expressed their concerns about the safety conditions of temporary amusement rides.

In Seville, Infierno Street hosts many large attractions every year, catering to both families and thrill-seeking youth. These devices go through pre-inspections and regulatory checks, but the incidents that have occurred raise questions about whether these checks are sufficient and how daily maintenance is monitored.

Consumer and citizen associations have found an opportunity to demand more transparency regarding inspections, certifications, and the responsibilities of the companies managing the attractions. Additionally, the need for strengthened inspections on busy days has also been brought up.

In the technical field, some experts remind that while the likelihood of a serious malfunction is low, the risk in such facilities is never zero. Therefore, they emphasize the importance of regular inspections, preventive part replacements, and continuous training of responsible personnel.

While Steel Maxx remains closed as it awaits definitive reports, the rest of the Fair continues its normal activities, but many participants, especially children, have begun to feel a sense of caution about which attractions they will ride.

The terrifying moments that occurred at the Seville Fair when one of the cables of Steel Maxx tirachinas broke resulted in four minor injuries and two children rescued from the cabin, drawing attention to the safety of major attractions. The quick response of emergency services prevented a more serious outcome, but the emotional impact on families and witnesses, the discomfort regarding the company, and the investigation initiated by the police have added a new dimension to discussions about the inspection and maintenance of these devices at crowded events across Spain.