The number of party revelers injured in a fire at a Taiwan water park was put at 498 yesterday as authorities began investigating the cause, suspected to be a sudden explosion of a colored powder thrown on those attending the party.
Six foreigners and seven visitors from Hong Kong, mainland China and Macau were among those injured after about 1,000 people dancing at Saturday’s event were sprayed with the powder, as a special feature of a festival also held in previous years.
The figure released late yesterday by local authorities was lower than an earlier estimate of 519 injured due to patients being transferred between hospitals and being double-counted, a government official said.
The blaze, which broke out at around 8:30pm at the Formosa Fun Coast water park on the outskirts of the capital, Taipei, is suspected to have been caused by an explosion of the colored powder, a local official said.
“It remains under investigation as to what made the powder explode,” he said.
Authorities have banned the use of the powder until the investigation is completed and its safety can be assured.
All of the 498 injured were still being treated in 43 hospitals across the island, according to the New Taipei City government.
