HILONGOS, LEYTE — What was supposed to be a night of celebration turned into a scene of panic and horror when a popular amusement park ride collapsed during the peak of a local festival, leaving 10 people injured.

The incident occurred late Sunday evening, June 14, 2026 at a temporary fairground (perya) set up for the town’s annual fiesta celebrations, drawing hundreds of local residents and visitors.

According to local disaster risk reduction and management officials, the emergency unfolded around 9:30 PM while the amusement ride, known locally as the "Spiral Jet" or "Vortex," was fully loaded with passengers. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud, metallic snapping sound before a central structural support failed, sending a section of the rotating ride crashing hard into the ground.

"Everyone was laughing and screaming in fun, but suddenly the screams turned to pure terror," said Maria Santos, a local resident who was standing near the ticket booth when the structure buckled. "People were thrown from their seats, and everyone nearby started running to get out of the way."

The sudden failure triggered a stampede-like rush as panicked onlookers scrambled to distance themselves from the collapsing machinery, while others rushed forward to help the victims trapped in the wreckage.

First responders from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), alongside local police and volunteer groups, arrived at the fairgrounds within minutes to secure the area and administer first aid.

The incident resulted in 10 casualties, ranging from teenagers to young adults. Among them, three individuals sustained severe fractures and deep lacerations that required stabilization before being rushed to a provincial hospital. The remaining seven victims suffered minor injuries—including contusions, sprains, and minor shock—and were treated at a local district health facility.

Fortunately, local medical officials reported that none of the sustained injuries appear to be life-threatening.

Following the collapse, local government authorities ordered an immediate shutdown of the entire amusement park area. The site has been cordoned off as structural engineers and local police begin an investigation into the mechanical integrity of the ride.

Preliminary assessments suggest that metal fatigue and a lack of proper maintenance on the ride's primary load-bearing joints may have caused the failure. Investigators are currently reviewing the operating permits and safety inspection certificates issued to the carnival operators.

The incident has sparked renewed demands from local residents for stricter regulatory oversight and mandatory daily safety checks on mobile amusement rides, which frequently travel between municipalities across the region during the busy Philippine fiesta season.