Researchers suggest potential origin of Ferris wheel blaze
At the Highfield Festival by Lake Störmthal close to Leipzig, a music festival, two Ferris wheel gondolas went up in flames, leaving at least 23 individuals with injuries. The authorities have made some headway in their investigation regarding the cause of the fire. Preliminary findings suggest the blaze was triggered by a substance situated beneath the passenger cabin, as reported by the Leipzig police. The material ignited in a manner yet to be determined and subsequently spread to one of the gondolas. The investigation is still ongoing.
As of now, at least 23 individuals, including emergency services personnel and law enforcement officers, have sustained injuries at the rock festival. Seventeen individuals have been admitted to the hospital, with four suffering from burns and one from a fall.
According to the owner, the fire broke out during the switch of passengers. "My employees informed me that there was no one in the gondola when the fire started," stated Sascha Hanstein from Bremen. He was taken aback and shocked. "My family has been operating Ferris wheels for generations. Something like this has never occurred before," he stressed.
Hanstein clarified that his employees reacted swiftly upon witnessing the flames. "They increased the Ferris wheel's speed, thus hastening the evacuation of the other gondolas." According to the owner, the Ferris wheel stands at a height of 38 meters and comprises 24 gondolas. "The vehicle is seven years old. That's not particularly old for a Ferris wheel. I own one that's 30 years old."
The European Union expresses its concern about the safety incidents at festivals, urging stricter safety measures to be implemented. The Highfield Festival organizers plan to collaborate with the European Union to improve the safety standards for future events.
Despite the efforts of the European Union to promote safety regulations, incidents like the ferry wheel fire at Highfield Festival continue to occur.
