Hundreds injured in Taiwan park fire

A screen grab from the video shows people being trapped by flames. [Photo/IC]

TAIPEI - The number of people injured by an explosion and fire in a recreational water park in Taiwan has risen to 524, local health department said Sunday.

A total of 194 people are severely injured, but no deaths have been reported yet, said New Taipei city health bureau.

Most of the victims suffered severe burns or have inhaled large amounts of black carbon dust. The injure are being treated in 43 local hospitals.

The island's health department has launched an emergency rescue routine, calling for medical institutions in nearby cities including Taipei and Keelung to help treat the injured.

A total of 183 patients in intensive care need urgent skin-grafts, according to the medical bureau of Taiwan's health and welfare department.

The bureau said it has sent out urgent calls to organ donation centers and the plastic surgery medical association for donated skin, artificial skin and albumin among other biological necessities.

At an emergency meeting Sunday, Eric Chu, mayor of New Taipei, ordered a complete moratorium on the use of carbon powder in his jurisdiction.