Taipei, Taiwan: A deadly fireball that ripped through a crowd of young people at a Taiwan water park in June was caused when coloured powder was ignited by stage lights, an investigation reportedly showed Friday.
The cornstarch powder had been sprayed over the crowd of hundreds of partygoers at the Formosa Fun Coast water park.
It exploded when it came into contact with the lights, whose surface temperatures reached more than 400 degrees Celsius, the Liberty Times reported, citing a fire department investigation.
Eleven people were killed and hundreds were hospitalised, some with third-degree burns covering more than 90 percent of their bodies.
The report has been submitted to prosecutors, but officials declined to comment on its content.
"We will use this report as a reference," Shihlin district prosecutors' office spokeswoman Su Pei-yu told AFP. "We can't reveal details at the moment as the investigation is still underway."
The event, which drew around 1,000 people -- mostly between 18 and 25 years old -- turned into a nightmare when the inferno ripped through the crowd. Horrific video footage showed people running for their lives and screaming as they tried to escape.
Two months on, 42 of the victims are still in critical condition, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
The report by the fire department ruled out earlier speculation that the blaze was caused by a cigarette.
Three suspects have been released on bail as prosecutors investigate them on charges of offences against public safety and negligence causing deaths.
Six more are being investigated, prosecutors said, including both the chairman and the president of the water park.
The cornstarch powder had been sprayed over the crowd of hundreds of partygoers at the Formosa Fun Coast water park.
It exploded when it came into contact with the lights, whose surface temperatures reached more than 400 degrees Celsius, the Liberty Times reported, citing a fire department investigation.
The report has been submitted to prosecutors, but officials declined to comment on its content.
Advertisement
The event, which drew around 1,000 people -- mostly between 18 and 25 years old -- turned into a nightmare when the inferno ripped through the crowd. Horrific video footage showed people running for their lives and screaming as they tried to escape.
Advertisement
The report by the fire department ruled out earlier speculation that the blaze was caused by a cigarette.
Advertisement
Six more are being investigated, prosecutors said, including both the chairman and the president of the water park.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Antony Blinken Raises Concern Over China's "Provocative" Actions Around Taiwan Exclusive: Taiwan Olympic Legend Finds Her Life Story In Aamir Khan's 'Dangal' Taiwan Woman Plans "Ghost Wedding" For Boyfriend Who Died In Car Accident 3 Students Dead After Flooding In Delhi Coaching Centre Basement At Olympics Opening Ceremony, Drag Parody Of 'The Last Supper' Draws Flak Kamala Harris Cuts Down Donald Trump's Lead Sharply, Show Latest Polls Will Quit Politics If Attempts Are Made To Disturb Reservation: Praful Patel DSSSB Exam Schedule 2024 Released For Recruitment To Various Posts AAP's Atishi Calls For Meeting After Delhiites Complain Of Blue Tap Water Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.