Madrid Amusement Park identifies asbestos in 14 areas

The Madrid City Council has identified asbestos in 14 different areas within the Parque de Atracciones de Madrid. The substance, found primarily in fibrocement roofing and auxiliary elements, was detected during a study assessing the state of the park's facilities as part of a new public tender for its operation through 2035.

Specific locations identified include the roofs of the Abismo, Nickelodeon, and Fantasía zones, as well as the chimney of The Walking Dead attraction and the Los Rápidos ride. The material is also present in closed areas such as maintenance offices and storage rooms. While asbestos poses a cancer risk if fibers are released into the air, officials state that the material is currently encapsulated and located in areas inaccessible to the public.

Borja Carabante, the delegate for Urbanism, Environment, and Mobility, emphasized that the detection is a proactive measure to ensure safety. The removal process is expected to take between 12 and 18 months and will require specialized companies registered in the Registry of Companies with Asbestos Risk (RERA). The current operator, Parques Reunidos, noted that the materials are mainly in non-accessible locations and do not pose an immediate risk to visitors or staff.