Society

11 detained over fatal amusement park accident in S China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-07-07 21:35

SHENZHEN - Eleven people have been detained over the amusement park ride accident in south China that killed six people and injured 10, including five still in serious condition, local authorities said Wednesday.

The deadly accident occurred on June 29 after the Space Journey ride malfunctioned at the Overseas Chinese Town East (OCT East) amusement park in Shenzhen, a boomtown neighboring Hong Kong.

Related readings:  All's fair as amusement parks vie for greater market share  Amusement park accident leaves six dead, ten injured in S China  Bodies of victims identified after park ride malfunctions  Amusement park facility goes awry, 6 dead

A total of 11 people, including equipment operators, maintenance workers and managers of the equipment supplier and amusement park, were under police interrogation, the Shenzhen city information office said in a statement.

Some witnesses said power cut out shortly after the ride began.Amusement park managers said the accident was caused by a sudden technical malfunction.

Family members of the dead, however, blocked a road near the amusement park on July 2 and 3, demanding a thorough government investigation into the tragedy.

The ride simulates the conditions of a rocket launch with the passengers experiencing doubled gravity. It elevates and spins 11 cabins each carrying four passengers.

The OCT East amusement park covers an area of nine square kilometers and is operated by OCT Enterprises Co., a state-owned company involved in real estate and hotel development, tourism, and electronics manufacturing.