- A fire broke out in Europa-Park in Rust on Monday afternoon. A column of black smoke could be seen from afar.
- After the fire broke out, 25,000 people had to leave the site. The evacuation was completed in just over two hours.
- The fire was under control by early evening. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries while fighting the fire.
- The park plans to reopen on Tuesday. The areas around the fire will not be accessible.
According to the police, the fire broke out around 4:40 p.m. in a technical room of a building in Europa-Park north of Freiburg im Breisgau. After the fire broke out, around 25,000 people had to leave the site. The Offenburg police said the evacuation was completed a little more than two hours after the first fire report. Everything went smoothly. This is thanks to the good cooperation of all emergency services and the employees of the park.
Legend:
The “Yomi Magical World of Diamonds” attraction, where the Alpenexpress and the wild water course run, is affected by the fire.
KEYSTONE/DPA
According to an eyewitness, the fire broke out at the “Yomi Magical World of Diamonds” attraction. There, park visitors can admire a replica mine on foot, in which colorful mythical creatures mine diamonds. Two other attractions also lead through the building: the “Alpenexpress Enzian” and the “Tiroler Wildwasserbahn”.
Legend:
A large contingent of rescue workers is on site.
IMAGO / Operation Report24
In the early evening, the fire was brought under control by a large contingent of rescue workers – around 450 people from the fire brigade, rescue service and police were on duty – said a spokesman for the family business. Two firefighters sustained minor injuries while fighting the fire, police said.
The security mechanisms – such as fire alarms and alarm plans – have worked smoothly according to the current status.
So far, there have been no injuries among visitors to the amusement park. “The security mechanisms – such as fire alarms and alarm plans – have worked smoothly according to the current status,” the police said. The visitors were addressed directly and asked to leave the park.
Legend:
Visitors leave the park in a calm and orderly manner.
IMAGO/Einsatz-Report24
The park was cleared quickly and orderly, eyewitnesses report. Employees would have sent people to the exit in a targeted manner. In particular, the affected area was cordoned off very quickly. Overnight guests were also able to return later to the hotels on the park grounds. The company did not provide any information about the extent of the damage.
The park will reopen to visitors on Tuesday. However, some areas around the scene of the fire would very likely not be accessible, a spokeswoman said in the evening.
Big fire already in 2018
Europa-Park is Germany’s largest amusement park. Last year, more than six million people came to the facility with roller coasters and other attractions near the German-French border – that was a record.
There had already been a major fire there at the end of May 2018: the Scandinavian and Dutch theme areas fell victim to the flames at the time. Restaurants, shops and the “Pirates in Batavia” ride were destroyed. According to the public prosecutor’s office, the fire was caused by a technical defect. There were around 25,000 visitors to the amusement park that day.