The Burj Khalifa's owner said yesterday 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.
"All ticket holders who wish to rebook shall be given top priority," the company said, adding that it is "committed to the highest quality standards at Burj Khalifa".
Emaar did not say when the observation deck would reopen following last Sunday's closure. Ticket sales agents were accepting bookings starting on Valentine's Day this Sunday, though it has not been confirmed the building will reopen then.
Work is still ongoing on many of the building's other floors, including those that will house the first hotel designed by Giorgio Armani that is due to open in March.
It was unclear if the rest of the building was affected by the observation deck's shutdown. The first of some 12,000 residential tenants and office workers are supposed to move in this month.
Dubai opened the 2,717-foot (828 m) tower on Jan 4 in a blaze of fireworks that was televised around the world. The building had been known as the Burj Dubai during more than half a decade of construction, but the name was suddenly changed on opening night to honor the ruler of neighboring Abu Dhabi.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are two of seven small sheikdoms that comprise the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi hosts the federation's capital and holds most of the country's vast oil reserves. It has provided Dubai with $20 billion in emergency cash to help cover its debts.
The Burj Khalifa boasts more than 160 stories. The exact number is not known.
The observation deck is located on the 124th floor. Adult tickets bought in advance cost 100 dirhams ($27.25). Visitors wanting to enter immediately can jump to the front of the line by paying 400 dirhams ($109) apiece.
(Read by Renee Haines. Renee Haines is a multimedia journalist at the China Daily Web site.)
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(Agencies)
位於杜拜的世界第一高塔「哈利法塔」的開發商昨日稱，這座高塔的觀景臺日前意外被關閉，這可能會讓數千遊客倍感失望，也有損該塔的形象。哈利法塔開放僅有一個多月的時間。
目前哈利法塔觀景臺關閉的確切原因尚不清楚。建築開發商伊瑪爾房地產公司通過一份簡短聲明做出回應，哈利法塔的觀景臺因「客流量過大」而被關閉，但隨後又暗示這和電力系統故障也有關係。
該公司稱：「主承包商和分包商正在解決電力供應的技術問題，重新開放時間將在完工後告知公眾。」
伊瑪爾房地產公司的一名女發言人未能提供關於此事的更多細節。
哈利法塔於今年1月5日對公眾開放，儘管遊覽門票需提前預訂，造成很多遊客買票困難，但目前已有數千名遊客前往觀景臺遊覽，而從地面乘電梯至觀景臺僅需1分多鐘的時間。已經提前購票但受觀景臺關閉影響的遊客可重新訂票或退票。
伊瑪爾房地產公司稱：「想重新訂票的遊客可享受優先預訂權」，並稱該公司一直致力於「哈利法塔的最高質量標準」。
哈利法塔觀景臺於上周日被關閉後，一直未得到伊瑪爾房地產公司關於該塔何時將重新開放的通知。票務代理商已開始接受本周日情人節期間的訂票，但尚不確定哈利法塔屆時是否會開放。
哈利法塔的其它很多樓層目前仍在施工，其中包括將於3月開業的由喬治•阿瑪尼親自操刀設計的首家酒店。
目前還不清楚哈利法塔的其它樓層是否受到觀景臺關閉的影響。按照計劃，約1.2萬名首批商住租戶將於本月入住該塔。
1月4日，「身高」2717英尺（合828米）的哈利法塔在一片絢麗的焰火中被揭開神秘面紗，當時這一盛況在全球進行了電視直播。在五年多的建造期內，這座高塔一直被稱為「杜拜塔」，但在開幕當晚，塔名突然被改為「哈利法塔」，以向鄰國阿布達比酋長國的酋長致敬。
杜拜和阿布達比是阿聯七個酋長國中的兩個成員。阿布達比是阿聯的首都，是該國石油資源最為豐富的成員。此前，阿布達比向杜拜提供了200億美元的緊援助資金以幫助其償債。
哈利法塔共有160多層，但確切層數尚不清楚。
該塔的觀景臺位於第124層。提前預訂的成人票票價為每張100迪拉姆（27.25美元）。不想預訂的遊客支付400迪拉姆（109美元）即可隨時遊覽。
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（中國日報網英語點津 Julie 編輯蔡姍姍）