Three killed, two injured on amusement park ride in Erbil

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Three relatives between the ages of 12 and 19 were killed and two others injured while riding an amusement park ride on Wednesday night in Erbil.

The incident occurred when a roller-coaster struck a crane used for maintenance at 11 pm at the Majidi Land park, located outside the city on the Erbil - Koya road.

Witnesses told Kurdistan 24 that at least some of them were thrown from the ride.

Those hurt or killed were the only passengers on the ride at the time, and all were from the same extended family, from the towns of Dara Shakran and Bahraka in Erbil Province.

According to local media reports, those sitting in the front of the ride received the most severe injuries.

The arm of the crane was apparently left obstructing the ride's track for unknown reasons. Workers operating both the ride and the crane were taken into police custody, pending the formation of an investigation committee.

As of Thursday afternoon, there was no announcement referencing the deaths or that the park would be closed down for any amount of time on Majidi Mall's website or social media accounts, and no answer at the contact number listed.

This is the first lethal accident in Majidi Land, in operation since June of 2015, but it is reminiscent of an incident occurred more than a year ago at Chavi Land, in Sulaimani.