Teenager Dies After Falling From Moving Carnival Ride in Cabo San Lucas

An 18-year-old woman died after falling from a moving amusement ride called El Péndulo (The Pendulum) at the Cabo San Lucas Traditional Fiestas in Baja California Sur this week. The incident has prompted a criminal investigation and led to the replacement of the city's civil protection chief.

Gabriela Rodríguez Tezoco was ejected from her seat while the ride was in operation. Emergency personnel responded to the scene and transported her to a hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. The Los Cabos city council confirmed her death in a statement, expressing deep sorrow.

The fatal accident has resulted in administrative action, with local officials announcing the removal of the head of the Municipal Directorate of Civil Protection and Risk Management. An interim director has been appointed to ensure investigators have full access to departmental records, safety protocols, and operational permits.

The Baja California Sur State Attorney General’s Office (PGJE) has initiated a formal probe to determine liability. Forensic experts in engineering and architecture are examining the ride to verify compliance with safety standards. As of Wednesday, no ride operators had been named and no arrests had been made.

In response to the incident, Los Cabos Mayor Christian Agúndez ordered the suspension of El Péndulo and mandated a preventative safety inspection for all other attractions at the fairground. During a concert at the festival that evening, Agúndez addressed the community, urging support for the victim's family and pledging municipal assistance.

Rodríguez Tezoco was a high school graduate from 2026.