On May 27, fire broke out at Europa-Park in Rust, Germany during operating hours, with close to 25,000 visitors in the park. According to the local police department: “The fire, which was visible from afar with a large smoke column, affected the Dutch theme area, its backstage area and parts of the Scandinavian area. . . .Park visitors and employees were not injured according to current knowledge. With regard to the amount of damage and the local extent, no further details can be given at present due to the ongoing extinguishing work. The cause of the fire is still unclear. The investigation is ongoing. In the operation there were about 500 emergency services, 250 of them firefighters, 150 of the rescue service, 50 of the THW [Bundesanstalt Technisches Hilfswerk, a volunteer organization under Germany’s Federal Ministry of the Interior dedicated to civil protection] and about 50 police forces. Seven firefighters who received minor injuries have now been released from hospital. The park remains open, with the exception of those areas damaged or destroyed by the fire. According to the park, it appears that the fire began in a backstage warehouse and then moved on to engulf the “Pirates of Batavia” attraction.
PHOTO courtesy Europa-Park