Major Fire at Liseberg's Oceana Waterpark

(eap) Personal Words from Liseberg CEO Andreas V. Andersen, 16 Feb 2024:

“Thank you for all the kind messages over the last few days. I can speak for everyone working at Liseberg, that we are shocked and deeply saddened by the fire at Oceana on February 12th, 2024. With the fire, we lost a most-loved colleague of ours. And all our thoughts are with his family, and everyone who was part of his life.”

EAP feel close to the Liseberg team and all those affected during this difficult time.

(eap) Update on 13 Feb 2024, 3:00 p.m.:

Together with spokespersons from the construction company NCC and the city of Gothenburg’s fire department, Liseberg provided information on the current status of the fire investigation at a press conference. The search for the missing colleague involved in the construction project on-site is still ongoing and the police have filed a report on a missing person. Per Nyqvist, Rescue Chief at the Gothenburg Fire Department, informed that after the major fire in the Oceana water park reported yesterday at 10:06 a.m. local time, which is currently attributed to a fire gas explosion, some parts of the building could be spared from the flames. Nevertheless, it would still be too early to be able to assess all the damage and effects of the devastating fire. The focus at the moment is not on the material damage, but on the people, especially the relatives of the missing person.

“We are shocked and deeply saddened, affected, and shaken by what has happened. Many are now wondering, what happens now? The simple answer is that we do not know. Right now, our focus is not on finances or material damages but on the people affected by the fire. Currently, we do not have an overview of the project-related consequences. At the same time, I can promise that we will look forward with determination and hope. We will get through this,“ states Liseberg CEO Andreas Andersen.

(eap) Update on 13 Feb 2024, 9:00 a.m.:

According to Liseberg, 16 people were injured by the fire, all of whom have already been able to leave the hospital. One person who was also involved in the works on-site is still missing.

“We are deeply saddened by the devastating event. Our primary task now is to assist the police in the search for the missing person and to support everyone affected,” said Liseberg CEO Andreas Andersen.

Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing. The Grand Curiosa Hotel, Liseberg’s arcade hall and restaurants remain closed to guests also today.

(eap) 12 Feb 2024: A major fire broke out this morning at Liseberg’s new water park Oceana. According to the park, the fire originated at a water attraction outside the building and then spread inside. The park is currently concentrating on extinguishing the fire on site and is trying to obtain a more accurate picture of what happened and the extent of the incident. Guests of the Grand Curiosa Hotel, which opened last year (see EAP 4/2023), as well as employees from nearby office spaces were evacuated.

The new water park in the Swedish city of Gothenburg was due to open this summer as Liseberg’s Second Gate and comprises a total of 14 water attractions, including four larger tube slides for two or six persons from Canadian manufacturer WhiterWater West. A month ago, the first water was poured into the pools of the facility, which was in the final construction phase (see EAP News of 16.1.24). The installation of the slides was completed just a few days ago. ■