Hundreds of Gothenburg citizens gather at Liseberg after the Ocean fire

GOTHENBURG. Hundreds of Gothenburg citizens gathered at Liseberg on Wednesday evening.

Rabbits danced and hugged children while candles were lit in memory of Patrik Gillholm, who died in the fire disaster at Oceana.

– I’m very sorry about everything that happened, but it’s nice to be here, says Kristabel Svensén, 12.

At the southern entrance to Liseberg, right next to the fire-ravaged Oceana adventure pool, Gothenburg citizens flocked on Wednesday evening. The characteristic green rabbits were there – but otherwise nothing was as usual in the Nordic region’s largest amusement park.

A week and a half after the fire disaster at Oceana, the adventure pool that was to open in just a few months, seasonally closed Liseberg had decided to stay extra open. Staff handed out stuffed bunnies and children rode the horse carousel. Still, a heavy gravity hung over the park.

At Astrid Bergman-Taube’s statue “Lisebergsclowerna” there were many lit candles – in memory of Patrik Gillholm, who lost his life in the accident at the Oceana building.

– It is truly heartbreaking to be here today. But I really wanted to show my support for Liseberg, and for Patrik, says Alexander Gustafsson, 22.

“A real nightmare”

Alexander was there with Abigail Salt, 22, to light candles at the statue.

– I am here to pay tribute and remember the one who died in the fire at Oceana, says Abigail.

In the days that passed after the fire broke out on Monday, February 12, both Abigail and Alexander followed news developments constantly.

Alexander was first reached by testimony of smoke development at Oceana from a friend who lives near the theme park.

– When I saw the first pictures, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was like I was dreaming, a real nightmare, he says.

Both Abigail and Alexander have followed the construction of Ocena over the past few years – and both were looking forward to visiting the water park. Now it seems to be delayed.

– It was as if the work of the last four years just went up in smoke, says Alexander Gustafsson.

Tom, 2.5 was worried about the rabbits

Many children had come to Liseberg together with their parents and friends. Kristabel Svensén, 12, was there together with her cousin Victoria Mörk, 12.

Both have been greatly affected by the accident at Oceana.

– I thought it was important to come here because there has been so much worry and panic. I wanted to come here to show support for the man who died, and to have a good time, says Kristabel.

Victoria:

– It feels good to be here, and to be part of this moment. It’s sad, but it still feels good that I came.

Johanna, 16, first heard about the fire at Oceana via an article in Aftonbladet.

– You got a little worried and scared and so on, she says.

She and her half-sister Alicia, 12, visited Liseberg on Wednesday evening together.

– It has been a different feeling somehow, when you know that someone has died. But it’s still Liseberg, but it’s a boring feeling, says Johanna.

During the past week, 2.5-year-old Tom Ekholm has asked his mother Fanny Ekholm, 37, several times about how the rabbits fared when there was a fire at Liseberg. Together with his mother, he got to visit them on Wednesday.

– We wanted to come and check that the rabbits are all right. It’s nice that they open up, and that you can light a candle, says Fanny.

Political hope for rapid reconstruction

Politicians and managers were also present in the partially opened park. The chairman of the municipal board Jonas Attenius (S) was accompanied by Liseberg’s board chairman Kurt Eliasson, also a social democrat.

At Astrid Bergman-Taube’s statue, they both lit candles in Patrik Gillholm’s memory.

– This has been a shock to me as a citizen of Gothenburg, you are very affected. It is a good initiative that you can come here and show your participation, says Jonas Attenius (S).

Liseberg’s board chairman Kurt Eliasson:

– It has been a situation we have never experienced before. That a workmate is no longer there, and is also in the ruins of a fire. No one has been able to describe this, how do you proceed? This has been a moment where we’ve been able to redeem some of that.

On Friday evening, the announcement came from Liseberg’s board. The possibilities of rebuilding the Oceana adventure pool are to be investigated. Among the Gothenburgers who came to Liseberg on Wednesday evening, that news was received with joy.

– It’s a good thing, but it will probably take time, says Alexander Gustafsson, 22.

The giant construction, which according to previous information was estimated to cost just over one billion kroner, has been underway since the fall of 2020 and was to be inaugurated during the summer season of 2024. From a political point of view, there is support for the plans for a reconstruction.

– I think that all parties are prepared to facilitate a quick process. I feel that I wholeheartedly support the decision that has been made, and I want this to happen as quickly as possible, says Jonas Attenius (S).

Chairman of the board Kurt Eliasson:

– We have decided that we will have a high pace in this work. As soon as everything is on the table and we can take the next step, we will do it.