BEIJING (Sputnik) — The fire broke out on Saturday evening near the main stage of the Formosa Water Park. The people were taking part in a Color Play Asia event, when a flammable powder exploded there.
All of the victims were immediately taken to 38 hospitals to render the much needed medical assistance, Taiwan’s Health Ministry said in a statement.
Toll of wounded people in #Taiwan water blast rises to 516 & 194 severely wounded. Photos: @metesohtaoglu pic.twitter.com/Lww98CAd32
— safriat yussuff (@saymamaa) June 28, 2015
More than 185 people sustained very serious burns and are currently in the intensive care unit, according to the statement.
More than 200 ppl were injured, over 80 of them seriously,in an explosion at a water park Taiwan's capital Taipei #AP pic.twitter.com/qWq1XFHVQH
— Nazia Memon (@NaziaMemon01) June 27, 2015
"By 3:40 am, 463 injured people had been rushed to hospitals, according to the Central China Television (CCTV). Among them, 456 are from Taiwan, 3 from Chinese mainland, 3 from other countries and regions and 1 unidentified yet," the newspaper said.
#BREAKING Over 100 injured after a fire breaks out at a water park in New Taipei city, Taiwan (cctv) pic.twitter.com/CkavTMkMYR
— People's Daily,China (@PDChina) June 27, 2015
It is still unclear whether using of the colored powder was pre-planned as part of the performance.
More than 200 injured after fire breaks out at water park in Taiwan http://t.co/0ycBx6L0NH pic.twitter.com/eBaqgNQsMx
— The New Paper (@thenewpaper) June 27, 2015
The investigation of the incident is underway. A man responsible for the event had been interrogated by police for investigation, the spokesman said. Prosecutors were also looking into the incident, local media reported.
~200 of 500+ injured have serious burns or respiratory injuries in Formosa Water Park blast/fire. #VOAalert #Taiwan pic.twitter.com/XPtuNZWf5z
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) June 28, 2015
The tragedy has been qualified by the city’s Mayor Eric Zhu Lilunas as the most serious incident in the history of New Taipei.
500+ injured in fire at #Taiwan theme park. http://t.co/btLwv24U6j pic.twitter.com/vI5XAVZa7V
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) June 28, 2015
Around 1,000 spectators had been at the Colour Play Asia event at the Formosa Fun Coast waterpark, just outside the capital Taipei, according to officials.
One male witness told local news channel CTI: "It started on the left side of the stage. At the beginning I thought it was part of the special effects of the party but then I realised there was something wrong and people started screaming and running."
