Japan skating rink slammed for freezing 5,000 fish in ice

A Japanese skating rink that froze 5,000 dead fish into the ice as an attraction for visitors has been forced to close after receiving a barrage of criticism.

Amusement park Space World is now melting the rink - which could take about a week - and will hold a memorial service for the fish, the company said.

The rink in southwestern Japan opened on Nov 12, after 5,000 fish were frozen under the surface of the ice as a decorative effect while customers skated above.