Victims seek justice a year after water park horror
Print Edition
TAIWAN marked the first anniversary of a deadly explosion at a water park as victims and their relatives demanded justice for those responsible.
So far, just one organizer of a party which ended in the deaths of 15 people and injuries to hundreds of others has been sentenced.
Hundreds of survivors and relatives gathered for a memorial concert in Taipei to remember the dead and express their gratitude to medical, social and charity workers.
Almost 500 people were injured in the blast at Formosa Fun Coast outside Taipei, when clouds of multi-colored corn starch sprayed on revellers at a “color party” ignited due to heat from stage lights.
The park had rented out its premises to an events company for the party.
Horrific video footage showed partygoers — mostly aged between 18 and 25 — screaming as they tried to escape the flames.
Prosecutors last year indicted party organizer Lu Chung-chi, one of nine people — including the park’s chairman and president — who had been investigated in connection with the case.
Outraged victims and their families appealed for a new investigation, which was formally opened last month.
In April, Lu was sentenced to four years and 10 months in prison for negligence leading to death.
But victims said the sentence was too lenient and that the park’s executives should also be held accountable.
“It is unacceptable that 15 people were killed but only the party organizer got a four-plus-year jail term. That’s not justice. We bought tickets from the water park and it should be held responsible,” said 26-year-old accountant Huang Ching-chun, who has been on sick leave since the accident.
More than 200 partygoers were seriously injured, some with more than 90 percent burns — leading to amputations in some cases. Although all have now left hospital, many are still undergoing painful rehabilitation or surgery.
Chen Wei-han, a 25-year-old former swimming coach, said she wanted to “return to my normal life and be able to look after myself.”
She spent seven months in hospital with burns to her face and body.
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