Seven individuals, including three minors, were injured after a horror train allegedly derailed inside a carnival located behind the Bacolod City Government Center, Monday night, Oct. 14.
PMaj. Marc Joeil Reclamado, commander of Police Station 4, said 10 individuals were on board the ride when it lost balance and overturned.
Seven of them sustained minor injuries and were rushed to a private hospital in Bacolod City, where they were later reported in stable condition.
According to the initial investigation, the driver claimed the ride lost balance due to the movement of passengers.
However, some victims alleged that the driver was speeding, which caused the train to derail.
Reclamado said the carnival owner immediately shouldered the victims’ hospital expenses and settled with them.
No charges are expected to be filed.
In a statement, Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya ordered an immediate inspection of all carnival rides operating in the city to ensure public safety.
Personnel from the Mechanical Division of the City Engineer’s Office, together with the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), have already conducted a site inspection at the carnival grounds behind the government center.
The mayor also summoned the carnival owner and operator to discuss the incident and verify that proper assistance was provided to the injured passengers.
Gasataya said the city government will await the inspection report and recommendations from the CEO and DRRMO before deciding whether to allow the carnival to continue operations.
“Each party has their own version of the event, but we cannot make any confirmation until a thorough assessment of the incident is completed,” the mayor said.*