There were no injuries reported during an incident involving a ferris wheel at the Taveuni carnival, according to Iowane Gade, the tournament director of the Wairiki Sevens. Although Gade confirmed the occurrence of the malfunction, he refrained from providing details on its cause.
Gade did emphasize that all riders were unharmed and opted not to disclose the identity of the operator of the ferris wheel. Eyewitnesses captured a video that circulates on social media, showing smoke emanating from the engine while bystanders intervened to help safely stop the ride and allow passengers to disembark.
In light of the incident, the ferris wheel operator was instructed to halt operations to prioritize public safety. The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) department is set to conduct an inspection and dismantlement of the ride today. Gade further assured the community that the incident would not disrupt the ongoing Wairiki Sevens rugby tournament, which began on Tuesday and is scheduled to conclude on Saturday. He encouraged fans to come out in large numbers to support the teams.
A police spokesperson, Wame Bautolu, confirmed the event’s occurrence and mentioned that more details would be made available later.
Summary: The Taveuni ferris wheel incident resulted in no injuries, and the ride has been halted for safety inspections. The ongoing Wairiki Sevens rugby tournament remains unaffected, with organizers encouraging public attendance and support.
It is encouraging to see that despite the incident, safety protocols are being prioritized, and the community can still enjoy the festivities of the rugby tournament without disruption.
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