Want China Times
Date: 2015-06-28
By: CNA and Staff Reporter
Taiwan’s premier, Mao Chi-kuo, announced Sunday a ban on the use of color powder in
The park’s inflatable rings were used as stretchers to move the injured after the fire, June 27. (Photo/Chao Shuang-chieh)
public events until its safety has been fully assessed.
The announcement comes in the wake of a horrific incident in New Taipei on Saturday evening when colored powder sprayed onto the crowd at a water park party ignited and engulfed the partygoers in flames.
Over 500 people suffered injuries, with 194 listed as serious. AP reports that eight people have life-threatening injuries.
Mao made the announcement to reporters after visiting National Taiwan University Hospital in Taipei. He said he is shocked and in grief over the incident, and stressed that the Executive Yuan will set up a special task force to handle the treatment and rehabilitation of those who were injured.
The powder used at the event is understood to have been corn starch, which is known to be flammable when aerosolized. [FULL STORY]
