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WHAT WERE THEY SINKING?

Titanic-themed amusement in China sparks outrage from victims’ families for RECREATING the tragedy

Chinese planners had insisted the giant replica would be a 'respectful' take on the White Star ship that sank in 1912 killing more than 1,500

PLANS to build a life-size replica of the Titanic at a Chinese theme park have caused outrage among families of those on board the doomed liner.

Chinese planners said the giant replica would be a "respectful" take on the White Star ship that sank in 1912 killing more than 1,500.

 Plans to build a replica of the Titanic in China have been met with outrage by some family members of victims and survivors
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Plans to build a replica of the Titanic in China have been met with outrage by some family members of victims and survivorsCredit: Rex Features
 Plans to build the ship are already well under way in the Sichuan province
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Plans to build the ship are already well under way in the Sichuan provinceCredit: Getty Images
 The project will see a life-size replica of the famous liner built
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The project will see a life-size replica of the famous liner builtCredit: Getty Images

Yet it has been forced to cancel a proposed ride that would would re-enact the Titanic hitting the iceberg that sealed her fate.

Furious family members of survivors and victims of the ship hit out at the plan when a Chinese representative visited a Titanic convention at the weekend to allay fears.

Jean Legg, whose dad was a steward on the boat and was one of 705 survivors, said: "My dad lived to be nearly 90 and the sights and sounds of people fighting for their lives stayed with him to the end of his days.

"If he knew this was being replicated, I think he'd be turning in his grave.

"I find it very upsetting, I feel they could have replicated another liner - it's in poor taste."

Robert Burr, whose grandfather was also a steward on the ship, told the : "It doesn't suit the situation."

 But plans to include a re-enactment of the iceberg crash that saw the ship sink have been scrapped
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But plans to include a re-enactment of the iceberg crash that saw the ship sink have been scrapped
 It is planned that the interior of the ship will be made to the same specifications as the White Star liner
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It is planned that the interior of the ship will be made to the same specifications as the White Star linerCredit: Rex Features
 The popularity of Titanic in China is mainly down to the 1997 Hollywood smash hit film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet
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The popularity of Titanic in China is mainly down to the 1997 Hollywood smash hit film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate WinsletCredit: Rex Features
 The Titanic sank in 1912, killing 1,500 on board and leaving only 700 survivors
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The Titanic sank in 1912, killing 1,500 on board and leaving only 700 survivorsCredit: Getty Images

A designer overseeing the project was able to talk bosses of the project in China's Sichuan province out of trying to re-create the sinking of the ship.

American Bruce Beverage said: "When they hired me I said, 'No, it would be in poor taste'."

Interest in the story of the Titanic is sky-high in China, mainly thanks to the popularity of the 1997 film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.


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