Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare have put out a call for medical supplies and skin grafts for the hundreds injured after flammable powder exploded during a water park festival in New Taipei City.
As CNN reports, firefighters said the firestorm erupted around 8.30pm Saturday when a flammable, water soluble powder substance blew up over a stage at Formosa Fun Coast. More than 1,000 punters were in attendance and nearly 500 were injured.
Harrowing footage of the incident, which has since made its way online, shows the moment a massive fireball suddenly engulfed the stage, sending hundreds of screaming people running for their lives through the flames.
“The fire came too fast and nobody was able to run,” said witness Huang Guan Zhang, 19. “Everybody was burned… Nobody could save others and people suffered severe burns.” According to reports, some attendees suffered burns to 80 percent of their bodies.
Taiwan’s Premier Mao Chi-Kuo has announced a ban on color powder events as the incident is being investigated. Meanwhile, President Ma Ying-Jeou met with people injured in the fire and said the Taiwanese government would help the victims, promising a full investigation.
Of those injured, 182 are hospitalised in intensive care units, according to New Taipei public health officials. More than 60 have been discharged after treatment, but Liu Yeuh-Ping of Taipei’s Department of Health says hospitals are running out of room in specialised burn units.
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He told CNN that while there was ample room for patients in intensive care units, specialised burn unit spaces are limited and health authorities are trying to move patients in need of intensive burn care.
Meanwhile, five people have been questioned in connection with the blast, according to the Luzhou District police department. Two of them are reportedly considered to be suspects, including the organiser of the party and the person in charge of lighting and hardware.
They were brought before a prosecutor for further questioning before being released on bail and barred from leaving the country. Formosa Fun Coast said the explosion occurred during a Color Play Asia party organised by a separate company who leased out space at the park.
The organiser of Color Play Asia has issued an apology, promising to take full responsibility. “We need to apologize to the families. I am very sorry that something like this happened. We shoulder ultimate responsibility,” said Lu Chung-chi.
Warning: This footage is unsettling.
