Urumqi Water Park emergency drills conducted for unexpected situations that may occur in different water amusement facilities

At around 12 o’clock on July 31, the Urumqi water park was filled with bursts of screams as staff swiftly rushed to the water amusement facilities. I witnessed the time and space travel attraction in the amusement park, where the facilities had come to a standstill, leaving tourists riding on it in a state of panic. The equipment operator promptly reported the situation to the supervisor in charge of the amusement facilities. Emergency rescue commanders, electricians, and medical personnel were dispatched to the scene without delay.

The emergency rescuers quickly assessed the facility and used a loudspeaker to reassure the tourists who were experiencing the time and space travel ride. Within five minutes, the facility was restored to normal operation. The rescuers systematically evacuated the tourists from the scene, while medical staff checked the physical condition of each individual. Earlier that morning, the Urumqi Water Park emergency drills were organised by the Quality and Technical Supervision Bureau of the autonomous region, the Special Equipment Inspection and Research Institute of the autonomous region, and the Quality and Technical Supervision Bureau of Urumqi city, all initiated by the Urumqi water park. This exercise aimed to evaluate the water park’s capability to respond to emergencies involving amusement equipment, simulating scenarios such as time and space travel malfunctions and tourists being stranded.

After the drill, Liu Xinsheng, director of the Quality and Technical Supervision Bureau of the autonomous region, remarked on the instability of special equipment in public places. He emphasised that if safety issues arise and are not addressed promptly, it could negatively impact tourist participation. Ensuring the safety of special equipment is crucial for allowing the public to enjoy entertainment activities in various venues. Yu Guoxin, deputy chief engineer of the Special Equipment Inspection and Research Institute of the autonomous region, recommended that water park rescuers utilise loudspeaker systems to comfort tourists during emergencies, thereby achieving a calming effect. To prevent safety incidents, he advised establishing appropriate emergency plans and conducting drills regularly.