Greece’s Interior Ministry has ordered the closure of several municipal playgrounds this week citing safety concerns.
In a directive sent to municipal authorities across Greece, the ministry calls for the “immediate withdrawal of all inspection reports/certificates” issued by an inspection body named “Target Hellas”.
According to the ministry, the company’s right to issue safety certification has been revoked by the Hellenic Accreditation System.
The directive requires municipal authorities to ensure playgrounds certified by Target Hellas are shut down and certified from a new accredited body.
The directive initially concerned the Municipality of Halandri which issued a statement apologizing for the inconvenience.
However, the said company appears to have certified other public parks across the country which will now be required to undergo new safety certification procedures.
According to Greek media, Target Hellas was the same company that had granted safety certification to an amusement park in Halkidiki, Northern Greece, where a 19-year-old lost his life.
Dozens of public playgrounds in Attica and in the rest of the country, including those in the municipalities of Nikaia and Agios Dimitrios, have already been shut down.
The ministry decision also affects many Christmas fun parks which had received compliance certificates from the same company.
