No injuries were reported during an incident involving a ferris wheel at the Taveuni carnival, according to Iowane Gade, the director of the Wairiki Sevens tournament. While acknowledging the occurrence of the incident, Mr. Gade declined to provide specific details about the cause or how the malfunction happened.
A video circulating on social media showed smoke emanating from the ferris wheel’s engine as bystanders worked to manually stop the ride, allowing all riders to safely disembark. Mr. Gade emphasized that public safety is their top priority and has instructed the operator to halt operations for the time being.
In line with safety protocols, the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) department is scheduled to inspect and dismantle the ride today. Despite the incident, Mr. Gade reassured attendees that the ongoing Wairiki Sevens rugby tournament would proceed as planned, having started on Tuesday and set to conclude on Saturday. He encouraged spectators to come out in support of their teams.
Police spokesperson Wame Bautolu confirmed the incident and noted that further details would be made available later.
Overall, it is encouraging to see that no injuries occurred and that safety measures are being implemented promptly. The Wairiki Sevens tournament continues to provide entertainment and community engagement while prioritizing the safety of its participants and spectators.
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