CHALKIDIKI – The operator of an unlicensed amusement park ride in northern Greece was charged with negligent homicide in the death of a 19-year-old flung off a ride when a spinning chair broke at high speed.

No names have been given but police said the 21-year-old operator turned himself in after running away when the incident happened, leaving the ride hurling around until people watching stopped it.

The victim’s brother was on the ride with him while another brother and the mother watched in horror below when it happened and the tragedy has led to a blame game between the municipality of Kassandra and Development Ministry.

The 58-year-old owner of the business was also detained but both he and the operator were released while an investigation goes on and the ride is examined to determine what happened.

The surviving brother on the ride however said the operator told riders that he was going to “push it hard” and crank up the speed and it wasn’t said whether the ride operated above allowable limits.

Kassandra Mayor Anastasia Chalkia said the Development Ministry is responsible for licenses for amusement parks and the safety of rides but the ministry said it was up to the municipality, both sides trying to evade blame.

The law stipulates the municipality is responsible and officials were told by Greek police five weeks before the tragedy that they had inspected the park and found the rides in good condition but that there was no license to operate.

Chalkia told Kathimerini that the procedures for imposing sanctions were initiated when the municipality was informed but said she didn’t have the authority to shut down the business, only impose a fine of 30,000 euros ($33,374) and that the park runs eerie summer and gets a temporary license for two months.

But this time, she said, “We know it had opened, it was in a private area. It hadn’t notified Notify Business, nor had it applied for a license; it was as if it didn’t exist,” she said without explaining how she wouldn’t know.

“I don’t have an inspection mechanism, I don’t know what might be opening illegally in the municipality. Two years ago I applied for municipal police. Eleven of them were approved and I am waiting for them to be sent to us,” she said.

The report also said that she did have the authority to close the business and the tragedy has raised questions again about licensing and inspections of rides at amusement parks that pop up around the country.