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SINGAPORE: Tenants at the Singapore Flyer are set to meet its management next Tuesday to discuss compensation and rebates for losses incurred following this week's wheel stoppage.
Meanwhile, Channel NewsAsia understands the management also visited affected families to bring them some Christmas joy on Thursday.
Lawyers Channel NewsAsia spoke to said if investigations reveal any breach of licensing or safety requirements, operations of the Singapore Flyer could be affected.
The Singapore Flyer may not be operational for now but that’s not stopping some Singaporeans and tourists from taking a stroll around the area and the Marina Bayfront.
Still, the ghost town feeling is something staff never thought would take place during the year-end festive period.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at the Singapore Flyer would have been very different if wheels were in motion. According to some staff, there would have been hundreds of party-goers and private groups enjoying themselves at the Flyer but all this had to be put to a grounding halt as a result of Tuesday's incident.
Equally affected are the restaurants and shops at the complex.
One restaurateur said there's been an 80 per cent cancellation from those who'd signed up for the "flight-and-dine" package.
Another manager estimates losses in the range of S$60,000 for the year-end period.
R Rajan, manager, Shalimar Palace, said: "We are organising the New Year's eve party so customers are calling us. They want to go for the ride and they are asking us when it will open and we have to say it will open soon."
Meanwhile, as investigations continue, questions are being asked as to the kind of action those trapped in the capsules can pursue.
Robson Lee, lawyer and partner, Shook Lin & Bok, said: "There are various causes of action. For emotional distress they would have to prove that this leads to a serious medical condition and it has to be medically proven and that's a course of action under Tort Law.
“If they have suffered financial losses, they would have to show that the causation was the delay, the undue delay of six hours.”
Raymond Lye, executive director, Pacific Law Corporation, said: "The Singapore Flyer has what clauses we call exemption clauses in their terms and conditions. These exemptions basically mean they are not responsible except for death or personal injury, for any loss or damage caused to any of its customers. But under Singapore law, these clauses are subject to the test of reasonableness."
For tenants, their hope is the Flyer resumes operations as soon as possible. - CNA/vm
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