Fire in Taiwan injures over 500, nearly 200 in intensive care

A fire late Saturday at Formosa Water Park in Taiwan sparked by the accidental explosion of colored theatrical powder injured 519 people and left 419 hospitalized, about half of whom had been seriously injured, including 184 in intensive care, The Associated Press reported, citing the New Taipei City health bureau. The powder for the one-time event called “Color Play Asia” ignited along the ground, mainly burning people’s bodies, according to the city’s fire department. The exact cause of the fire was still being investigated, but Premier Mao Chih-kuo has banned public activities that use the colored powder.