A game of "flying chairs" at a Russian amusement park collapsed and more than 20 people — mostly children — were injured. There is still no certainty about whether or not there were deaths.
The images, which went viral on social media, show how the top of the game gives way and, consequently, crashes into its own base, destabilizing the seats.
The accident happened on Saturday, May 6, at the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the Soviet Union in Orenburg's Oren Park, local media such as Interfax and Fontanka reported.
At least 20 people were injured, some seriously. Photo: Social Media/EAST2WEST NEWS
The number of victims varies according to the medium. The site "Vargas reports", for example, reported that there were 21 people injured and one dead, but most of the others – such as those mentioned above – indicated that in reality there were between 15 or 20 and that there were no fatalities.
What the Interior Ministry did confirm is that most of the injured are children and that many of them were taken to hospitals by their families without waiting to be treated at the scene.
Of the injured, at least three are said to be in "serious" condition and, according to the region's health minister, Tatyana Savinova, 12 are hospitalized.
The accident happened in Orenburg, Russia. Photo: Social Media/EAST2WEST NEWS
The mayor's office reconfirmed the information, saying that "some Orenburg residents without waiting for an ambulance took the victims to hospitals on their own."
According to the office, the first two resuscitation vehicles arrived at the scene within 6 minutes and a total of ten ambulance teams worked in the park.
The causes of the accident
According to the first statements, it is believed that the cause of the accident was a mechanical failure in the game.
Orenburg opened a criminal case against the park under the articles "negligence, causing serious harm to health by negligence" and "providing services that do not meet safety requirements."
"It is clear that the concessionaire, which guaranteed the safety of the attractions and compliance with all the necessary procedures before their implementation, has serious doubts. Your performance, that of the technical service and all those involved will be assessed by specialists. It is possible that the concession contract will be terminated," Orenburg administration chief Sergei Salmin said.
The emergency situation with the game in the park and the victims was reported to journalists in the press service of the regional Interior Ministry.
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