The owner of Australia's biggest theme park was fined $2.5 million (Aus$3.6 million) Monday for safety failures leading to the deaths of four people on a popular water ride in 2016.

Two women and two men died when their rafts collided on the Thunder River Rapids ride at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast, leading prosecutors to file three charges against owner Ardent Leisure in June.

A Queensland court found the company had breached the state's workplace health and safety laws but stopped short of the maximum Aus$4.5 million penalty.

Ardent Leisure said it accepted full responsibility and apologised "unreservedly" in a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange.

Its board and executives expressed their "deepest sympathies" to the victims' families for the "enormous loss to each of them from the terrible tragedy which occurred at Dreamworld... and the ongoing suffering from that loss".

The company, which faced heavy criticism for trying to re-open before the funerals had taken place, said a new leadership had driven a "complete overhaul" of safety procedures at the theme park.

Ardent Leisure said it had compensated the "majority" of families, first responders and others impacted by the tragedy and was working to complete the outstanding claims.

Construction of a memorial to the victims in Dreamworld was put on hold due to the pandemic but work is expected to restart within months, the firm added.

The owner of Australia's biggest theme park was fined $2.5 million (Aus$3.6 million) Monday for safety failures leading to the deaths of four people on a popular water ride in 2016.

The owner of Australia's biggest theme park was fined $2.5 million (Aus$3.6 million) Monday for safety failures leading to the deaths of four people on a popular water ride in 2016. Two women and two men died when their rafts collided on the Thunder River Rapids ride at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast, leading prosecutors to file three charges against owner Ardent Leisure in June. A Queensland court found the company had breached the state's workplace health and safety laws but stopped short of the maximum Aus$4.5 million penalty. Ardent Leisure said it accepted full responsibility and apologised "unreservedly" in a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange. Its board and executives expressed their "deepest sympathies" to the victims' families for the "enormous loss to each of them from the terrible tragedy which occurred at Dreamworld... and the ongoing suffering from that loss". The company, which faced heavy criticism for trying to re-open before the funerals had taken place, said a new leadership had driven a "complete overhaul" of safety procedures at the theme park. Ardent Leisure said it had compensated the "majority" of families, first responders and others impacted by the tragedy and was working to complete the outstanding claims. Construction of a memorial to the victims in Dreamworld was put on hold due to the pandemic but work is expected to restart within months, the firm added.

Australian theme park operator fined $2.5 million over accident that killed four

An Australian theme park ordered an independent safety review of all its attractions on Wednesday and said the ride that killed four people in October will be demolished.

Rafts on the Thunder River Rapids ride at the Dreamworld tourist attraction on the Gold Coast had collided, killing two women and two men on October 25.

&quot;Out of respect for the memories of Cindy Low, Roozbeh Araghi, Kate Goodchild and Luke Dorsett, and their deeply affected families, the ride will be permanently decommissioned,&quot; said chief executive Deborah Thomas, AFP reported. &quot;The closure of the ride is the only respectful and appropriate course of action.&quot;

Ardent Leisure, which owns the theme park, has been under heavy criticism for the way it handled the tragedy.

The police investigation into the accident closed earlier this week but Dreamworld is yet to announce when the park will reopen.

In the aftermath of the accident, the Australian Workers&#39;&nbsp;Union said it had voiced concerns about the operation and maintenance of some equipment at Dreamworld last year, while media reported alleged safety mishaps, reported AFP.

On Tuesday, Dreamworld announced an independent probe of all its rides and operating systems. Management said it was also working with workplace health and safety officials and no ride would operate until all reviews were complete.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP)

Rafts on the Thunder River Rapids ride at the Dreamworld tourist attraction had collided on Oct 25, killing two men and two women

An Australian theme park ordered an independent safety review of all its attractions on Wednesday and said the ride that killed four people in October will be demolished. Rafts on the Thunder River Rapids ride at the Dreamworld tourist attraction on the Gold Coast had collided, killing two women and two men on October 25. "Out of respect for the memories of Cindy Low, Roozbeh Araghi, Kate Goodchild and Luke Dorsett, and their deeply affected families, the ride will be permanently decommissioned," said chief executive Deborah Thomas, AFP reported. "The closure of the ride is the only respectful and appropriate course of action." Ardent Leisure, which owns the theme park, has been under heavy criticism for the way it handled the tragedy. The police investigation into the accident closed earlier this week but Dreamworld is yet to announce when the park will reopen. In the aftermath of the accident, the Australian Workers' Union said it had voiced concerns about the operation and maintenance of some equipment at Dreamworld last year, while media reported alleged safety mishaps, reported AFP. On Tuesday, Dreamworld announced an independent probe of all its rides and operating systems. Management said it was also working with workplace health and safety officials and no ride would operate until all reviews were complete. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Australian theme park ride where 4 died to be demolished

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Australian theme park operator fined $2.5 million over accident that killed four

Australian theme park ride where 4 died to be demolished