DUBAI // Tough new building regulations have been introduced at a popular theme park after a tourist died when a building collapsed.
Global Village, which re-opens tomorrow after the summer closure, has been under intense scrutiny from authorities since the accident in February. A woman was killed and 13 people injured when some of the Indian pavilion collapsed after heavy rain.
Since then at least five companies have been told to leave the venue because they failed to meet health and safety standards, Saeed Ali bin Redha, Global Village's chief executive, said. The group's administration office leases the land to organisers, who are responsible for hiring a consultancy to assess their safety standards.
"As is the case every year, we learn a lot from our mistakes," he said. "We are involving authorities like Dubai Municipality and Civil Defence to inspect all our structures."
Though final building plans have been examined by Global Village authorities, they now will also need approval by the municipality and Civil Defence inspectors.
"The focus will be on the authorities who will approve or reject the structure," Mr bin Redha said. "When you come on the first day of the opening you will see the difference in the pavilions' standards and the way they look."
The Civil Defence has also assumed a 24-hour presence in the park near Dubai Land and will monitor weather reports and advise on whether the park should open.
