This Sunday, August 6, a serious accident on a merry-go-round occurred at Luna Park in Cap d’Agde, causing the death of a 17-year-old teenager and seriously injuring a 19-year-old woman. In France, how are rides controlled in amusement parks and fairgrounds? What are the security obligations? Answers.
The evening of Sunday August 6, 2023 turned tragic at amusement park Luna Park from Cap d’Agde, located in Hérault. A 17-year-old boy lost his life and a 19-year-old young woman was seriously injured and rushed to hospital after a merry-go-round accident, which occurred on L’Adrénaline, one of the park’s thrill rides that made it famous. It is a gigantic swing, 60 meters high, on which two people settle down on a basket, before being released into the void at more than 110 km/h. According to the first elements of the investigation, the strong gusts of wind that evening would be partly responsible for the accident. But a question may also arise, what are the security measures for these attractions?
What are the safety requirements for rides?
Amusement parks and fairgrounds in France are subject to security measures very strict, framed by the law of 13 February 2008, relating to the safety of rides, machines and installations for fairgrounds or amusement parks. Regularly, the attractions and the various facilities are controlled by specialized bodies, approved by the State and at the expense of the operators. The experts carry out an initial and periodic technical check, in particular on the operating condition of the attraction and its ability to ensure the safety of people.
In detail, we find the so-called “travelling” attractions, with limited sensations for children, classified in categories 1 or 2, and the rides permanently linked to the ground, which are those with strong sensations, classified in categories 3 and 4. Depending on their category level, controls are more frequent:
- Category 1 attractions: inspection every 3 years.
- Category 2 attractions: inspection every 2 years.
- Category 3 and 4 rides: inspection every year.
In addition, every day, the operators must inspect their rides themselves before they are put into operation. If a defect is found, it must be reported and corrected. Any modifications or repairs must also be subject to another check, stipulates the law.
What is the number of accidents in amusement parks in France?
According to the latest known figures from theNational Institute for Health Surveillance (InVS)in France, in four years between 2009 and 2013, 459 accidents were recorded on so-called mechanical attractions (roller coaster, Ferris wheel, rodeo horse, etc.). On non-mechanical attractions, such as trampolines, bouncy castles or mazes, 360 accidents occurred. Most of them resulted in emergency room visits.
On this particular Luna Park attraction, another accident took place in August 2019. A man in his 40s suddenly fell after the basket got stuck a few meters from the ground. His head having hit the ground, he had to be hospitalized for stitches.