Police investigate water park fire that leaves 516 injured

A fire on a music stage spread into a crowd of spectators at a Saturday night party at a Taiwan water park, injuring more than 500 people, including eight in critical condition.

The fire was sparked by an accidental explosion of a coloured theatrical powder thrown from the stage in front of about 1,000 people. The powder for the one-time event, called ‘Colour Play Asia’, ignited along the ground, mainly burning people’s lower bodies, said Wang Wei-sheng, a liaison officer with the New Taipei City fire department command centre.

Taiwan’s Central News Agency reported witnesses as saying the fire at the Formosa Water Park in New Taipei City spread quickly after powder was blown into the air.