SINGAPORE, Jan 2, 2009 (AFP) - LESS than three weeks before 173 people became trapped on the world's biggest observation wheel, dozens were stuck in another incident, the attraction said on Friday.  

The Singapore Flyer gave AFP details of three previous stoppages at the wheel before the most serious incident on December 23 which trapped most of the 173 passengers for more than six hours.

On December 4, 74 passengers were affected during a stoppage which lasted about an hour, the Flyer said in a statement that cited extreme weather and a short circuit as the cause.

Passengers were not at risk, said the Flyer, which opened last February and is one of Singapore's major tourist attractions.

On July 11, two passengers were on board when the wheel stopped for about an hour because of a minor braking system fault, the Flyer said.

No visitors were aboard on June 18 when the wheel stopped for an hour in an electrical storm. Passengers had been evacuated earlier as a precaution because of the bad weather, the Flyer said.

The wheel has been closed since it stopped turning after a small electrical fire on December 23.

Police are investigating and the Flyer's chairman, Florian Bollen, said international experts had gathered to examine what caused that incident 'and to make sure that this will never happen again'.

Most passengers were stuck inside the Flyer's enclosed cabins until power was restored but 10 escaped using rescue harnesses. Two were taken to hospital.