Fire at Oceana Waterworld in Gothenburg

Summary

On the morning of 12 February 2024, a fire broke out in one of the waterslides at the future waterworld Oceana. The fire spread rapidly through the water attraction and a fire gasexplo­sion took place that resulted in major damage to the building. One person was fatally injured in conjunction with the fire.

The constructions were in their final stages ahead of completion of the waterworld. A num-ber of work tasks were ongoing on the day of the accident. One of these work tasks was electrofusion of diversion pipes connected to one of the waterslides.

The fire probably started as a result of deficiencies in the fitting of the diversion pipes, which resulted in the pipes overheating and then catching fire during electrofusion.

Causes/contributing factors

Deficiencies in the systematic work environment management at the construction site result-ed in the work on the diversion pipes being carried out without adequate conditions. There were shortcomings in knowledge about the risks associated with the work, its execution, and its planning. Consequently, the fire risks linked to the work were neither identified nor addressed.

Safety recommendations

The Swedish Work Environment Authority is recommended to

• Investigate the feasibility of increasing, within the scope of construction sites, the focus on systematic work environment management and other matters relating to a good safety culture (see Section 2.4.1). (SHK 2025:05e R1)
• Implement measures within the scope of its work with product safety and market surveillance to enhance safety when using electrofusion machines. Such measures can encompass, for example, market surveillance, regulatory changes or standardi­sation work (see Section 2.4.2). (SHK 2025:05e R2)

Liseberg is recommended to

• As a developer, continue to develop its systematic work environment management with the aim of enhancing the safety culture. This work should encompass, among other things, clearer imposition of requirements on contractors and continual follow-up of their systematic work environment management (see Section 2.3.2). (SHK 2025:05e R3)

NCC Sverige AB is recommended to

• Take action in its role as general contractor to enhance monitoring and follow-up of compliance with established rules and procedures relating to safety. This action should include the promotion and maintenance of a good safety culture (see Section 2.3.2). (SHK 2025:05e R4)

WhiteWater West is recommended to

• Take action to enhance compliance with established rules and procedures relating to safety. This action should include the promotion and maintenance of a good safety culture (see Section 2.3.2). (SHK 2025:05e R5)