SINGAPORE: The world’s biggest observation wheel began turning again late Tuesday after a power disruption that left more than 170 passengers stranded above ground for about six hours.

The Singapore Flyer resumed rotating at about 11:11pm (1511 GMT) to allow the trapped passengers to get out, AFP reporters saw.

A spokeswoman for the attraction said earlier that about 173 people were aboard the wheel when a short circuit in one of the drive motors occurred at around 5:00pm.

She said at least five people had been evacuated from a lower level within three hours of the disruption.

Steven Yeo, general manager, Singapore Flyer, said: "At 4.50pm, we experienced an electrical problem on our drive unit number 1, north unit, which caused several of our electrical supplies to be cut. The defect has actually been isolated. We found it to be the drive unit itself. The rest of the wheel, the rest of the supply, is in full functioning order at the moment."

A passenger who was stuck in one of the capsules said there was a sudden jerk before the wheel stopped turning. An announcement a few minutes later said there was a technical error.

Mdm Lim Boon Siang, a passenger stuck in one of the capsules, said: "About 4.30pm or 4.15pm, after we passed the maximum altitude, it suddenly jerked to a stop, and then for a good five to ten minutes, we waited.

"We thought that this could be something normal. And then there was a message that came in that said that it has stopped temporary. Everybody was calm, but initially the air—con was switched off, so it was very hot due to the evening sun. They opened up the air ventilator, and the air—con if I am not wrong is working now."

She said there were about 10 other people, including children, in her cabin.

The spokesperson said: "Their safety was never at risk while they were in the capsules. Every capsule is equipped with an intercom system which is linked to the control room — for passengers and the control room personnel to communicate.

"Our staff promptly informed passengers of the situation and reassured them that measures were being taken to fix the technical problem. There are also surveillance cameras installed in every capsule for the operations team to monitor what is going on in all capsules."

A ride on the 165—metre tall wheel, about 42 storeys high, typically takes half an hour and each capsule can take up to 28 people.

Since the Flyer became operational in February this year, this is the third time it has encountered problems.

The last time a technical glitch occurred was just three weeks ago, on December 4. The wheel was stuck for nearly five hours due to extreme weather conditions and some 70 people were affected.

In July, the Flyer stopped due to a minor fault in the braking system.