11 held over space ride tragedy

Rebecca Yu

Thursday, July 08, 2010

Eleven people have been arrested in Shenzhen in connection with the June 29 amusement park tragedy that left six people dead and 10 injured, some seriously.

Police would still not say what exactly happened, nor would they say who had been arrested, although reports reaching Hong Kong said they were mainly equipment producers, maintenance workers and operators.

The accident involved a new spacecraft simulation ride, located at the Ecoventure Valley amusement park in the Overseas Chinese Town East complex, which opened in May last year.

Family members of the deceased demonstrated outside the town last weekend, calling for the "truth." Some of the demonstrators were arrested, but later released.

The relatives were allowed to hold a memorial service inside the park on Monday.

"But what we want to know is what happened," one of them, surnamed Mao, said.

According to reports, 44 people were on the ride at the time of the tragedy on the Space Journey, which can accommodate 48.

The ride offers the thrill of a rocket launch, spins 360 degrees while going up and down, with a 24-meter-wide screen providing space scenes.

Earlier reports suggested the accident may have resulted from a sudden power supply problem.

One patron who escaped unhurt said frightened riders were trampled as the exits were locked and there was "a burning smell everywhere."

No Hong Kong resident was involved in the accident, according to an Immigration Department statement.

According to a Shenzhen news report, the family of each deceased person will receive compensation amounting to 600,000 yuan (HK$689,982), but town officials later denied this.

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arrested: to attract or catch someone's attention

deceased demonstrated:
dead
to express or show that you have a particular feeling, quality or ability

released: to move a device from a fixed position to allow it to move freely