There were no injuries reported following an incident involving the ferris wheel at the Taveuni festival, confirmed Iowane Gade, the director of the Wairiki Sevens tournament. While acknowledging the incident took place, Gade refrained from providing specific details on how the malfunction occurred, stating that public safety is their priority.
A video circulating on social media depicted smoke rising from the ferris wheel’s engine as onlookers quickly intervened to assist stranded riders in safely exiting the ride. According to Gade, all riders were able to disembark without any harm.
In response to the incident, the tournament organizers have instructed the ferris wheel operator to stop all operations while the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) team will conduct an inspection and dismantle the ride.
Despite this concerning incident, Gade emphasized that it will not hinder the progression of the Wairiki Sevens rugby tournament, which is set to continue as scheduled from Tuesday to Saturday, and he encouraged fans to attend and support the teams.
Police spokesperson Wame Bautolu has confirmed the incident, stating that more details will be provided in the near future.
Overall, while the malfunction of the ferris wheel raised alarms, the quick action of bystanders ensured everyone’s safety, and the tournament will proceed as planned, offering a continued opportunity for community engagement and support for local sports events.
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