Seven people suffered injuries, with three badly hurt, after a ride at a Belgian funfair in La Hestre malfunctioned on Sunday afternoon.

Witnesses at the Ducasse fair in La Hestre (Hainaut) said the ride's safety bars had malfunctioned, throwing seven guests out of their seats when the ride began.

Bruno Pozzoni, mayor of Manage in Belgium, confirmed on Sunday evening that all seven victims had suffered fractures as a result, with three said to be in critical condition. The emergency services had confirmed that all seven people were conscious when treated at the scene of the incident.

The attraction has been closed to the public; however, as no deaths occurred as a result of the incident, the rest of the funfair has been permitted to remain open for the time being.

Psychological support has been put in place for the victims and witnesses to the accident. The attraction, named "Rock'n'Roll", is a type of surf ride constructed in 2016 by Czech manufacturers Bojux Rides.

Earlier this month, a 17-year-old boy died following a tragic fairground malfunction in Cap d'Agde, France.