Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Emir of Riyadh Prince Khalid Bin Bandar has ordered rides at amusement parks to stop operating after a number of children were injured in an accident in the capital last month. The Emir's move is to ascertain whether the mishap was caused by any manufacturing defect or negligence in its proper maintenance, according to a governorate spokesman. Twelve schoolchildren were injured after they fell from a ride at Panorama Mall's amusement park on Feb. 27. Prince Khaled then ordered an immediate inquiry into the incident. The Emir issued the new directive after receiving the report submitted by the committee investigating the accident. The committee recommended in its report to stop operating all rides manufactured by a particular company to pinpoint the actual cause of the accident, the spokesman said in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency. Prince Khalid has ordered companies operating rides in commercial malls and fun cities to comply with instructions to carry out routine weekly maintenance and prepare technical reports about the condition of each ride. He also directed the concerned government technical committees to carry out surprise inspections and submit reports about their functioning. These committees have been empowered to halt the operation of any ride that fails to fulfill the required safety conditions and standards before submitting a report to the governorate. The violations will then be referred to the concerned courts to examine the case, the spokesman said. The children, aged 12 to 13, involved in the accident were from the Manarat Schools. Two children were seriously injured and others sustained minor injuries, and they were admitted to King Khaled University Hospital and King Saud Medical City in Riyadh. The Emir and Deputy Emir Prince Turki Bin Abdullah visited the children in hospital. The ride at the mall has been closed down until further notice.
