Over 210 hurt in Taiwan park fire

Taipei - More than 210 people were injured after a fire suspected to have stemmed from the explosion of an unknown flammable powder occurred in a recreational park in northern Taiwan, local media reported yesterday.

The fire broke out at the centre of the stage when up to 1,000 people were having a colour play party - a festival of dance and music where revellers were sprayed with clouds of coloured powder.

Footage from TV stations showed flames reaching into the sky, with some people running to safety.

Burn victims lay on inflatable pool rings in Formosa Fun Coast recreational park as they waited for stretchers, cable TV network TVBS showed.

A thorough investigation into what caused the accident will be carried out, New Taipei City Mayor Eric Chu said, adding that the park had been ordered to shut down.

Emergency medical personnel from neighbouring cities and Taiwan's military forces have been asked to assist in rescue efforts, Mr Chu said.

Reuters, Bloomberg

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on June 28, 2015, with the headline Over 210 hurt in Taiwan park fire. Subscribe