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Taiwan Waterpark's Event Ends in Flames: More Than 500 Injured

© REUTERS / Chen BoPeople carry an injured victim from an accidental explosion during a music concert at the Formosa Water Park in New Taipei City, Taiwan, June 27, 2015
People carry an injured victim from an accidental explosion during a music concert at the Formosa Water Park in New Taipei City, Taiwan, June 27, 2015 - Sputnik International
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At least 510 people got injured due to an explosion of an unknown powder that triggered fire during a party in a water park in Taiwan's New Taipei city, the local Ministry of Health and Welfare said on Sunday.

BEIJING (Sputnik) — The fire broke out on Saturday evening near the main stage of the Formosa Water Park. The people were taking part in a Color Play Asia event, when a flammable powder exploded there.

All of the victims were immediately taken to 38 hospitals to render the much needed medical assistance, Taiwan’s Health Ministry said in a statement.

More than 185 people sustained very serious burns and are currently in the intensive care unit, according to the statement.

"By 3:40 am, 463 injured people had been rushed to hospitals, according to the Central China Television (CCTV). Among them, 456 are from Taiwan, 3 from Chinese mainland, 3 from other countries and regions and 1 unidentified yet," the newspaper said.

It is still unclear whether using of the colored powder was pre-planned as part of the performance.

The investigation of the incident is underway. A man responsible for the event had been interrogated by police for investigation, the spokesman said. Prosecutors were also looking into the incident, local media reported.

The tragedy has been qualified by the city’s Mayor Eric Zhu Lilunas as the most serious incident in the history of New Taipei.

Around 1,000 spectators had been at the Colour Play Asia event at the Formosa Fun Coast waterpark, just outside the capital Taipei, according to officials.

One male witness told local news channel CTI: "It started on the left side of the stage. At the beginning I thought it was part of the special effects of the party but then I realised there was something wrong and people started screaming and running."

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