Ferris wheel terror as carts burst into flames with horrified riders on board

Fairgoers could do nothing but watch in horror as a Ferris wheel rotated with carts ablaze.

Shocking video of the horrifying incident shows shows raging flames and thick black smoke billowing from the attraction at Highfield Festival in Leipzig, Germany. Eyewitnesses said some people were still onboard the ride when the fire broke out at around 9pm on August 17.

More than 30 people were rushed to hospital to be treated for injuries. Footage shared on X shows people watching helplessly as the burning wheel continued to turn with sparks flying from its frame.

One woman in the crowd can be heard saying “s**t” as Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond plays in the background.

The wheel appeared to have at least 24 carts with some very close to the two on fire.

Four police officers were among the people hurt with two people suffering serious injuries, the Sun reports.

Local police spokeswoman Josephin Sader told BILD : “The fire broke out in one gondola for reasons still unknown and then spread to a second one.

“We currently know that there are over 30 injured people, including four injured police officers, but all of them are probably slightly injured.”

“Two people were seriously injured. There were no fatalities.”

Many of the minor injuries were reportedly caused by smoke inhalation.

The popular festival attracts around 30,000 visitors each year.

German rapper Ski Aggu stopped his set early as the fire broke out.

One of the event organisers said around an hour after the fire broke out “The show must go on.” The festival is scheduled to go ahead as planned today.

Meanwhile, the cause of the blaze remains unknown and investigations are underway.

For the latest news stories from Daily Star sign up for our newsletter.