Seven amusement parks in the Eastern province failed to meet safety standards and implement measures that should be available in children’s playgrounds, said the Eastern Province Civil Defense.
Several accidents occurred recently causing injuries to children. The most recent took place last week in a Dammam family entertainment center, where three children were injured in a waterfall ride, when safety belts failed to prevent the children from hitting their heads in the steel barrier in front of them when the ride was moving, said one parent. The children’s injuries were minor.
“Inspectors carry out regular and intensive patrols in amusement parks and play areas in commercial centers,” said acting spokesman for the Civil Defense department in the Eastern province Lt. Col. Ammar Al-Maghrabi. An inspection campaign targeted 35 entertainment centers, seven of which violated the defined safety procedures, which posed a threat to the safety of visitors. Necessary arrangements were made to make sure the rides were safe for use and to force violators to achieve the highest level of safety standards, said Al-Maghrabi.
He said field inspections will continue and all violators will be punished. Penalties include closure and fines, depending on the nature of the violation.
“There will be no exceptions, leniency or bargaining for human life. The waterfall ride in Dammam will be closed until all investigations are finalized. The ride will then be inspected and we will make sure all safety procedures are observed,” he said.
Al-Maghrabi stressed the importance of parental control and supervision while children are on an amusement ride. The Civil Defense’s telephone number is 998, which should be called in any case of emergency, he added.
Seven EP amusement parks fail to meet safety standards
