At least seven people were injured after an accident which occurred yesterday (14 August) at the largest theme park in Germany.
The Europa-Park, located in the town of Rust near the borders with France and Switzerland, said that a mobile pool with diving platforms collapsed while people were on it, sending those on board tumbling into the water below.
Police said that five performers who worked for the theme park were injured along with two visitors, and that three of the performers were taken to hospital to have their injuries checked as a precaution.
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Footage of the collapse showed the floating structure buckle and drop people into the water while the mobile pool also flooded the surrounding area, with the extra water flowing into the nearby Atlantica SuperSplash ride.
That ride had to be closed in order to avoid the risk of a collision as parts of the collapsed mobile pool were also deposited into the water.
Footage of the collapse showed parts of the platform falling into the pool where the performers had just fallen, though fortunately people who had fallen in the collapse were seen helping each other out of the water.
The structure had been part of the park's 'Retorno dos Piratas' show which runs for 20 minutes and features performers using the pool and diving platforms to perform jumps for the entertainment of guests.
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The cause of the accident wasn't immediately clear.
The park opened its doors as usual today (15 August) with all rides open, though police have said that an investigation into exactly what happened needs to take place.
However, while people are back in the park the Retorno dos Piratas show has been cancelled until further notice.
Little less than two months ago the Europa-Park was the site of another perilous disaster after it caught fire on 19 June and forced guests to be evacuated.
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Footage of the fire showed hundreds of people having to move away from the billowing smoke clouds and flames rising from one of the rollercoasters.
Two firefighters were injured while tackling the blaze but no park guests were hurt in the fire.
A park guest had said they'd heard the ride as it 'banged loudly two or three times' before 'a huge fire could be seen'.
Europa-Park contains several areas themed around various European countries and three fantasy parts of the park.
The largest theme park in Germany attracted over six million visitors last year and will remain open as usual until further notice.
Topics: World News
Joe Harker