Transvaal Park


Transvaal Park was a popular waterpark in Yasenevo, a south district of Moscow, Russia. With several large, heated pools, including a wave pool and twisting "river" for tubing, it became one of the most popular attractions in the Moscow area and a symbol of the country's bloom of private enterprise. It was based on an African theme, and its name came from the South African province of Transvaal. It also included a sauna. When the water park had been open for two years, the roof collapsed with fatalities.

History

The park opened in June 2002. At 7:15 p.m. on February 14, 2004 the roof of the park collapsed, killing 28 people, including 8 children, and injuring 193, including 51 children. Architect Nodar Kancheli, who had designed the structure, claimed that terrorists likely attacked the attraction, but the cause turned out to be a faulty design.
In a Dutch publication "stress corrosion cracking" of stainless steel fasteners or other loaded stainless steel elements was suggested as being the cause of this accident.
On April 2, 2013 a new water park Moreon was opened on the former site of Transvaal Park.