Following Saturday's horrific incident at Taiwan's Formosa Water Park which left 497 injured, a 20-year-old woman who suffered 90% burns on her body has died, reports CNN.
The accident occurred when colored powder exploded after being thrown into the crowd. The explosion engulfed around 1,000 party goers and left attendees scrambling to escape the flames.
"Five people, including the organizer of the event, were arrested for questioning by police following the fire," says the Telegraph. "Authorities launched an immediate investigation into the incident and imposed a nationwide ban on the colored powder, which is suspected to have ignited due to the heat of the event’s lighting equipment."
Reports say the fire was quickly brought under control but not until hundreds suffered injuries. At first, footage caught at the scene resembles a typical party scene with loud music, dancing and flashing lights. After a few seconds the footage quickly transforms into people panicking and screaming as they try to evacuate.
On Sunday the injury toll rose to 524 with 194 people in critical condition. That number was revised down to 497 on Monday; officials say some people were mistakenly counted twice. The next few days are expected to be a critical time for the people injured in the fire.
"At the beginning, I thought it was part of the special effects of the party but then I realized there was something wrong and people started screaming and running," says one party goer.
Following the fire, the chaos progressed as people became trapped and others tried to drag them out of the amusement park with inflatable tubes.
Mayor Eric Chu describes the explosion the "worst incident of mass injury [ever to occur] in New Taipei."
Watch footage of the incident below. Some viewers may find the video disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.
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