Miss Hibiscus Festival Committee Reaffirms Commitment to Safety Following Recent Incident

The Suva City Council Miss Hibiscus Festival Committee wishes to affirm its unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of all festival attendees following a recent incident involving a ride malfunction outside the Civic Centre in Suva yesterday.

On Sunday 1st September, a malfunction occurred with one of the festival rides, prompting immediate action from the Miss Hibiscus Festival Committee. The Committee would like to reassure the public, routine maintenance and safety checks on all rides were conducted by the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and approved. In light of the incident, a thorough investigation is underway to determine the cause and to prevent future occurrences. The affected ride has been temporarily closed until it meets all necessary safety and operational standards.

Mr. Opetaia Ravai, Chairman of the Miss Hibiscus Festival Committee said: “The Suva City Council is also conducting its own internal investigation. Routine maintenance and safety inspections are carried out daily by the SCC staff to ensure that every ride and stalls adheres to the requisite standards. Should any ride be found to be non-compliant during these inspections, it will be promptly closed until it meets all safety and operational requirements.”

Mr. Ravai added: “Our primary goal is to ensure that every memory created at the festival is positive and safe. We deeply apologize to the parents and children affected by this incident. The Miss Hibiscus Festival is a cherished tradition that celebrates our diverse and vibrant community, and we are committed to preserving its joyful spirit throughout the week-long festivities.”

Day 3 of the Miss Hibiscus Festival continues with excitement, today’s highlight is a Miss Hibiscus Secondary Schools Touch Rugby tournament at Albert Park in Suva. The festival remains a vibrant celebration of our community’s spirit and culture.