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Over 470 injured in firey blast at Taiwan water park

Sunday, 28 June 2015 12:13 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 28 June 2015 12:18 AM ]

A police officer walks past debris at the Formosa Fun Coast amusement park after an explosion in the Pali district of New Taipei City early on June 28, 2015. (AFP)

More than 470 people have been burned or injured at a recreational water park near the Taiwanese capital Taipei following explosions stemming from flammable powder used for fireworks.

The Saturday evening incident took place when flames erupted after the unknown substance blew up over a stage about 8:30 pm local time at Formosa Fun Coast, firefighters at the scene said, according to the country’s official Central News Agency (CNA).

The news agency further reported that "the fire was quickly brought under control," but not before causing hundreds of injuries and various degrees of burns.

Video footage of the dramatic incident showed a huge fireball suddenly engulfing the stage area, followed by screaming people panicking and running for their lives through the flames.

*Overturned tables lie on the ground at the Formosa Fun Coast amusement park after an explosion in the Pali district of New Taipei City on June 28, 2015. (AFP)*

Referring to the event as "the worst incident of mass injury (ever) in New Taipei," Taiwan's most populous city, Mayor Eric Chu pleaded for ambulance support from neighboring Taipei, Taoyuan, and Keelung.

Meanwhile, the country’s defense ministry spokesman, Luo Shao-he, announced that all military hospitals in northern Taiwan were ready to treat the injured.

Authorities at the water park indicated that the explosion took place during a "Color Play Asia" show, performed by another company that leased out space at the park.

"We are very regretful (for) this accident that caused injuries to many victims," Formosa Fun Coast said in a statement. "The most urgent currently for us is to handle and assist with ... victims on the scene and work comprehensively with the New Taipei Fire Department."

MFB/NT

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