SENTOSA'S Fantasy Island, which was hit by a
                 drowning tragedy in March, will re-open four of the
                 five rides that were closed after the accident.

                 The theme park, which saw admissions drop by as
                 much as 50 per cent after the incident, hopes to win
                 back customers through special promotions and
                 half-price admission fees from May 20 till the end of
                 June. "We have taken all the steps necessary to
                 prevent another incident from hap- pening," Mr A.
                 Yogesvaran, the managing director of Fantasy Island
                 theme park, told The Straits Times.

                 He was referring to the death of an eight-year-old girl
                 who was sucked under the rubber-foam lining of an
                 adventure ride when her raft overturned.

                 "The incident was a freak accident, which we regret
                 ourselves.

                 "Our image was affected and it was a big blow to our
                 morale," he said.

                 Following the accident, the park closed five of its 32
                 rides while police investigations were carried out.

                 "We are not sure about the status of the investigation,"
                 said Mr Yogesvaran.

                 The park has lined up new attractions this month such
                 as a House of China -- displaying Chinese artefacts in
                 porcelain and bronze, and an upgraded Cinemania.

                 Next month, it will stage the Simon Cabaret Show
                 featuring female impersonators from Phuket, Thailand.

                 And by September, it will have completed work on
                 Nature Fantasy, a new showcase for exotic fossils
                 and seashells, as well as a restaurant and beer garden.

                      Adapted from The Straits Times, 9 May 2000.