“High Traffic”

Tourists will be disappointed by that the vertiginous observation deck of the world’s tallest tower has been unexpectedly shut down after just four weeks. “The Burj Khalifa’s owner said today that the observation deck of the world’s tallest tower has been unexpectedly shut down, potentially disappointing thousands of tourists and marring the spire’s image just a month after it opened. The precise cause of the Dubai skyscraper’s closure remained murky. In a brief statement responding to questions, building owner Emaar Properties blamed the closure on ‘unexpected high traffic,’ but then suggested that electrical problems were also at fault. ‘Technical issues with the power supply are being worked on by the main and subcontractors and the public will be informed upon completion,’ the company said. A spokeswoman for Emaar was unable to provide further details. Thousands of visitors have taken the elevator ride of just over a minute to the observation deck since it opened to the public on January 5, though advance bookings have meant many tourists looking to visit have struggled to find tickets. Ticket holders affected by the shutdown are being offered the chance to rebook or receive refunds.”