The maiden ride turned out to be a terror ride for some 50 people who were trapped in the gondolas, 25 metres in the air.

Some were trapped for more than 20 minutes before technicians climbed up the ferris wheel and moved it manually to lower passengers from each compartment.

The Malacca Eye, located along the Sungai Malacca is the state' latest tourist attraction, built at a cost of RM3.3 million.

It also has a trampoline bungee and a pirate ship.

It was officially opened at the launch of the Malacca River Fest by the Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Khalil Yaakob.

Some of the trapped victims in one of the gondolas of the Malacca Eye

Khalil, his consort Toh Puan Zurina Kasim, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam and state executive council members were on a boat ride when the incident happened. They were supposed to be next on the ferris wheel.

The incident occurred at 10.35pm.

A large crowd had turned up, all wishing to be among the first to visit the tourist attraction.

A victim, Ibrahim Mohd, 55, said he was surprised when the lights went out and the wheel stopped moving.

"My daughter and two grandchildren were in the gondola with me. My eldest grandchild started crying as soon as the lights went out.

"I was shaken. This is a sign of poor safety features. I feel the ferris wheel is not ready for operations yet.

"Work in the area is not fully completed as there are no guard rails beside the river."

The last passengers were brought down safely at 11.05pm.

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