Taiwan commemorates first anniversary of deadly blast

TAIPEI — Taiwan on Sunday marked the first anniversary of an explosion which killed 15 and injured hundreds at a water park as victims and their relatives demanded justice for those responsible. Just one organizer of the party at the park which ended in disaster has been sentenced so far. 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 were injured in the blast at Formosa Fun Coast outside Taipei, when clouds of multicolored corn starch sprayed on revelers 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 party goers — mostly aged between 18 and 25 — screaming as they tried to escape the raging flames. Prosecutors last year indicted only the party organizer Lu Chung-chi, who was among nine people — including the chairman and president of the park — being probed in 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 ten months in prison for negligence leading to death, as the court cited the “excruciating pain” of the bereaved. But victims said the sentence was too light and 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 from her job since the accident. More than 200 of the partygoers were seriously injured, some with more than 90 percent burns — leading to amputations in some cases. Although all have now been released from hospital, many are still enduring painful rehabilitation or surgery. — AFP