Beach and Tourism Affected by Accident in Brazilian Water Park

07/18/2018 - 12h57

One day after the accident that killed a tourist, Beach Park, in Fortaleza, closed its doors on Tuesday (17). Hotels stopped selling tickets to the water park, and buggy tours became an alternative for travelers.

The beach where Beach Park is located was almost empty. Even though some waiters claimed the park would open, hotels did not sell any tickets for the attraction – the park's representative stated they will open their doors on Wednesday (18).

	Divulgação
	The Beach Park, in Fortaleza

July is high season in Ceará, and one of the state's main attractions is Beach Park.

Instead of music, crowded tables and long queues, the beach was full of empty chairs.

Radio-broadcaster Ricardo José Hilário Silva, 43, from Sorocaba, died after sliding down, on a raft with three other people, a waterslide called "Vainkará". The Park opened the attraction on Saturday (14), after an investment of R$ 15 million (US$ 3.89 million).

The waterslide is 150 meters high and has 90-degree walls - their proposal is a zero-gravity experience.

On Tuesday, on the streets of Porto das Dunas, where the park is located, stories of other accidents at the water park were the talk of the day.

In January, a group of tourists experienced moments of tension and had to rip their raft to escape an accident at the water park, in the metropolitan area of Fortaleza. In 2002, Renan Júlio Osterno Rodrigues da Silva died while playing in one of the attractions.

With the park closed, buggy rides became the area's go-to alternative. "We have an average of 20 to 30 tours this time of year. Today we had 150," said local businesswoman Alba Moisés.

Translated by ANA BEATRIZ DEMARIA

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