16-year-old teen dies after Zipline accident in Agra during family trip
A 16-year-old boy died after falling nearly 45 feet from a zipline ride at Agra Chaupati in Uttar Pradesh’s Agra, following an alleged malfunction in the ride’s pulley lock.
Police said the incident took place shortly after the teenager, identified as Kunal Agarwal, began the zipline ride at the popular adventure attraction located in Tajnagri Phase-2.
Kunal, a resident of Firozabad and a Class XI student, had travelled to Agra with his parents and younger brother for a family outing. After visiting the Taj Mahal and spending the day sightseeing, the family stopped at Agra Chaupati before returning home.
According to police, Kunal was eager to try the zipline ride and his family purchased a ₹400 ticket for the activity. Moments after his feet left the launch platform, the zipline mechanism allegedly malfunctioned, causing him to plunge to the ground.
A video of the incident reportedly showed the teenager striking a platform before falling to the ground, triggering panic among bystanders and family members.
Kunal was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
His father, Pankaj Agarwal, alleged gross negligence on the part of the ride operators. “Because of their negligence, I lost my son,” he said, recalling that the family had planned the Agra trip at the request of their children.
Based on the complaint filed by the victim’s family, police registered a case under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) against three individuals, including the owner and manager of the zipline operation.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Syed Ali Abbas said two accused — identified as Santosh Kumar Dubey and Abhishek — have been arrested.
Police said preliminary investigation revealed major lapses in safety arrangements at the site. Officials stated that Kunal was allegedly not provided a helmet, while no protective safety net or cushioning system had been installed beneath the ride.
Authorities have launched a technical inspection of the zipline equipment to determine the exact cause of the malfunction.
