Families of victims killed during an explosion and ensuing fire at the Formosa Fun Coast (八仙海岸) water park in New Taipei City’s Bali District (八里) on June 27, that left 15 dead and hundreds injured, called for the event organizer to receive a stiff sentence, as a procedural hearing opened in Taipei yesterday.
In October, Lu Chung-chi (呂忠吉), the owner of Color Play Asia, which organized the event, was charged with negligence leading to death and injury and faces up to five years in prison.
The incident occurred when clouds of colored cornstarch sprayed on revelers ignited.
The event organizer appeared in a Taipei court yesterday as a four-day procedural hearing commenced, where relatives of victims gave testimony.
“[Lu] really destroyed our very happy family,” the mother of Wu Yen-chieh (吳妍潔), who died after 67 days in hospital, told the court.
“Even if it is a death sentence, I will not forgive him,” she said, holding a portrait of her deceased daughter.
Victims’ families also expressed anger that of the nine people who were under investigation for the explosion, only Lu was charged.
“It is like piercing a knife through the hearts of the families,” said the mother of Liu Chih-wei (劉致葦), who died six days after the disaster.
Five months on, 28 people are still being treated in hospital, with one in critical condition.
Lu’s trial date has not yet been set.
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