Police and SCDF approve permits for Aug 22-23 Color Run at Sentosa

Participants of The Color Run at Sentosa being sprayed with coloured powder during the 2014 event.
PHOTO: ST FILE

SINGAPORE - The Color Run will be held as planned at Sentosa this weekend, after authorities approved the permits and licences for the event.

The Singapore Police Force and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) have approved the permits and licences for the Color Run, "after having been satisfied that the coloured powder can be used in a safe manner", police said in a statement on Monday.

The event organisers will be required to take precautionary measures, police said.

They will need to demarcate clear powder dispersal zones, and ensure that these areas are free of ignition sources.

The use of dispersal machines for the production of dust clouds is prohibited.

The organisers will also have to provide prompt on-site medical assistance; and have a company emergency response team on site during the event, police added.

Questions were raised about the safety of the event after a huge fire at a Taiwan "colour party" in June left at least 10 dead.

Close to 500 people, mostly the young, were injured, including one Singaporean. Read more about Megan Loy's story here.

Coloured cornstarch powder sprayed into the air at the Color Play Asia event exploded, and a fireball raced through the crowd, causing severe burn injuries.

The 5km Color Run, held on Aug 22 and 23, is organised by IMG, a global sports, entertainment and media firm.

The organisers have said before that the powder used in the run has been "tested for flammability and successfully passed the required European Union standards".

It is different from that used at the Taiwan party, IMG had said in June.

The race, which was first held in Singapore in 2013, originated in the United States and was inspired by India's Holi festival.

More stories about the Taipei Water Park Fire can be found here.

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