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Organisers questioned over Taiwan water park inferno | Organisers questioned over Taiwan water park inferno |
(about 17 hours later) | |
Organisers of a party at an amusement park in Taiwan have been detained for questioning after a fire tore through crowds at a party. | Organisers of a party at an amusement park in Taiwan have been detained for questioning after a fire tore through crowds at a party. |
More than 500 people were injured in the incident, when a coloured powder apparently ignited after being discharged from the stage onto the audience. | More than 500 people were injured in the incident, when a coloured powder apparently ignited after being discharged from the stage onto the audience. |
Footage showed people panicking and screaming, and inflatable water toys used as stretchers. | Footage showed people panicking and screaming, and inflatable water toys used as stretchers. |
Some 182 injured are in intensive care. | Some 182 injured are in intensive care. |
Figures are not yet available, but officials said many of the victims appear to be in their 20s or younger. | |
Some of them breathed in the powder, causing respiratory problems. | Some of them breathed in the powder, causing respiratory problems. |
The water park outside the capital Taipei has been closed, and so-called colour parties have been banned while the investigation into what caused the inferno proceeds. | The water park outside the capital Taipei has been closed, and so-called colour parties have been banned while the investigation into what caused the inferno proceeds. |
Skin 'gone' | Skin 'gone' |
Event manager Lu Chung-chi and several staff members were detained by police and are being questioned by prosecutors. | Event manager Lu Chung-chi and several staff members were detained by police and are being questioned by prosecutors. |
Mr Lu was pictured in the Taiwan News with handcuffs on and his hands in a prayer position. The news site said he had apologised for what had happened and pledged to take responsibility for it. | Mr Lu was pictured in the Taiwan News with handcuffs on and his hands in a prayer position. The news site said he had apologised for what had happened and pledged to take responsibility for it. |
Footage of the incident shows a party in full swing when fire suddenly erupts. | Footage of the incident shows a party in full swing when fire suddenly erupts. |
It was "hell", a male student who sustained minor injuries said, according to AFP news agency. | It was "hell", a male student who sustained minor injuries said, according to AFP news agency. |
"There was blood everywhere, including in the pool where lots of the injured were soaking themselves for relief from the pain." | "There was blood everywhere, including in the pool where lots of the injured were soaking themselves for relief from the pain." |
His girlfriend added: "I saw lots of people whose skin was gone." | His girlfriend added: "I saw lots of people whose skin was gone." |
The fire was quickly brought under control. | The fire was quickly brought under control. |
The fire department said the powder, used to create a party atmosphere, may have ignited due to the heat of the lights on the stage, or from sparks from machinery. | |
The substance is also used in other countries. It is made of dried corn and can be highly flammable, says the BBC's Cindy Sui in Taipei. | The substance is also used in other countries. It is made of dried corn and can be highly flammable, says the BBC's Cindy Sui in Taipei. |
The 519 victims were sent to 41 hospitals, and 413 are still in hospital, say municipal authorities. | The 519 victims were sent to 41 hospitals, and 413 are still in hospital, say municipal authorities. |
Soaring temperatures | Soaring temperatures |
The incident occurred about 20:30 (12:30 GMT) on Saturday. More than 1,000 people were near the stage at the time. | The incident occurred about 20:30 (12:30 GMT) on Saturday. More than 1,000 people were near the stage at the time. |
Many people flocked to water parks on Saturday as temperatures reached 36.6C (98F) in Taipei and as high as 38C in other parts of Taiwan. | Many people flocked to water parks on Saturday as temperatures reached 36.6C (98F) in Taipei and as high as 38C in other parts of Taiwan. |
Taiwan has suffered a series of deadly fires in the past couple of years due partly to poor enforcement of building and fire safety codes and illegal construction, our correspondent says. | Taiwan has suffered a series of deadly fires in the past couple of years due partly to poor enforcement of building and fire safety codes and illegal construction, our correspondent says. |
A fire earlier this year killed six firefighters, prompting orders to rectify illegally constructed buildings and upgrade firefighters' equipment and training. | A fire earlier this year killed six firefighters, prompting orders to rectify illegally constructed buildings and upgrade firefighters' equipment and training. |
Were you at the party? Have you been affected by the fire? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Were you at the party? Have you been affected by the fire? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Or WhatsApp us on +44 7525 900971. | Or WhatsApp us on +44 7525 900971. |