Baden-Wuerttemberg
Europa-Park opened after a fire – the search for the cause continues
A fire broke out in the Europa Park in Rust. photo
© Christian Boehmer/dpa
The fire in Europa-Park was not a whole day ago. Today, however, the family business wants to open regularly and with only a few restrictions. Meanwhile, many questions remain unanswered.
A day after the fire in Europa-Park in Rust, the cause of the fire in the amusement park is still unclear. It is still being investigated why the fire broke out the day before, a spokeswoman for the park said on Tuesday morning.
Regardless, the park should open its doors to visitors again. All offers such as the “Rulantica” water attraction and the hotels were open regularly, only the areas around the fire site were not accessible, said a spokeswoman.
The fire broke out on Monday afternoon in a technical room at the “Yomi Magical World of Diamonds” attraction. Security mechanisms such as fire alarms and alarm plans worked smoothly, according to the police. A large number of firefighters then brought the fire under control. Two firefighters were slightly injured. According to district fire chief Bernhard Frei, more than 450 fire brigade, rescue service and police forces were deployed.
The indoor attraction that caught fire is a building meant to represent an underground world of diamonds. It is accessible on foot. Two family attractions also run through the building: the “Alpenexpress “Enzian”” and the “Tiroler Wildwasserbahn”.
Cause and extent of damage still unclear
At the time the fire broke out, around 25,000 people were in Europa-Park. According to initial findings, there were no injuries among them. The park was cleared after the fire broke out. According to the police, this had worked smoothly – and was completed just over two hours later.
As a Europa-Park spokesman announced on Twitter, “according to the current state of knowledge”, these attractions will remain closed for the time being: Panoramabahn, Alpenexpress Enzian, Alpenexpress Coastiality, Tiroler Wildwasserbahn, Yomis-Magic World of Diamonds and the shops Bazar Español and Gemstone Grotto.
Many questions are still open. For example, it is still unclear how many visitors were directly affected by the fire and had to be rescued from the attractions. The amount of the damage incurred is also open. The family company has not yet provided any information on this. The focus of the investigators should also be the cause of the fire, which was initially unknown.
Major fire in 2018
Europa-Park is Germany’s largest amusement park. It is located in the district of Ortenau near the German-French border. Last year, more than six million people came to the facility with roller coasters and other attractions – that was a record.
There had already been a major fire there on May 26, 2018: Most of the thematic areas of Scandinavia and Holland had fallen victim to the flames. Restaurants, shops and the “Pirates in Batavia” ride were destroyed. According to the public prosecutor’s office at the time, the fire was caused by a technical defect and caused millions in damage.
Seven police and firefighters were slightly injured in the fire five years ago. Around 500 women and men were involved in the operation. There were around 25,000 visitors to the amusement park that day. More than two years later “Pirates in Batavia” was reopened.