Dramatic footage has emerged showing a devastating fire tearing through a newly constructed water park in Gothenburg, Sweden, sending thick plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
The inferno, captured on video, depicts the unfolding chaos as towering flames engulfed the water park's slides and facilities, with firefighters scrambling to contain the blaze.
Police have reported that the fire, which broke out at the outdoor water slides and rapidly spread, resulted in the hospitalization of twelve individuals for minor injuries, while one person remains unaccounted for, BBC News reports.
The water park, an eagerly anticipated addition to Gothenburg's renowned Liseberg Amusement Park, was on the brink of opening its doors to the public later this year, promising thrills and excitement for visitors of all ages.
The missing individual - whose identity has not yet been made public - had been working in construction activities at the site, Sky News reports.
In a somber statement, Liseberg expressed shock and devastation at the catastrophic event, revealing that the fire originated at one of the water rides before swiftly engulfing the entire building in its relentless path of destruction. "The fire started at one of the water rides outside the building and then spread to the entire building," part of the statement read.
As authorities and emergency responders grapple with the aftermath of the blaze, questions loom regarding the cause of the fire, with police and fire officials launching investigations to unravel the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
The chaotic scene prompted the evacuation of a nearby hotel and office buildings, with residents urged to shelter indoors as thick smoke blanketed the area, further complicating rescue efforts.
Over on X (formerly Twitter), one person wrote: "This is heartbreaking news coming from my favorite amusement park in Europe. I'm thinking of everyone at Liseberg right now. This is not fair. I'm devastated."
Our thoughts go out to anybody impacted by this incident.