North Lebanon Governor Ramzi Nohra ordered the temporary closure of all amusement parks in Tripoli Monday, two days after an accident left one girl dead and five others wounded.
Three amusement parks in Tripoli will remain closed until all rides pass safety tests, according to Monday’s decision.
On Sunday, the City Land amusement park in Tripoli’s Mina area was closed by security forces after 12-year-old Maryam al-Tabah was killed one day earlier. It was the first such accident in the park’s history.
Nohra Monday formed an investigative committee to follow up on the girl’s death.
Tabah was aboard one of the park’s rides – the “fast train” – with three friends. She and other riders extended their hands to those standing outside the ride, but as the ride’s speed increased, she was flung from the car, sustaining fatal injuries. The train then collapsed, injuring two other fair-goers.
Following the accident, security forces shut down the amusement park, saying that conditions were no longer safe. City Land, which is close to the beach, has been in the area for some time, but it was alleged that its rides have not been subject to regular maintenance.
By Antoine Amrieh
