Mainland offers medical assistance to Taiwan park blaze victims

BEIJING -- The Chinese mainland has offered medical assistance to the injured victims of Saturday's water park blaze in Taiwan.

The National Health and Family Planning Commission has summoned a team of surgeons specialized in burns and they are ready to leave for Taiwan immediately, said the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office in a press release Thursday.

A number of renowned surgeons in the mainland have taken their own initiative to contact Taiwan hospitals to offer help, the press release said.

The office is working with the health department and the mainland's Red Cross Society to prepare medicines and device that are needed for burn treatments, it said.

Several private companies and individuals also expressed willingness to donate medical devices.

Once the two sides settle details about assistance and donation, the medical supply will be shipped to the island immediately, the press release said.

Nearly 500 people were injured in the accident during an event at a park in Taiwan's New Taipei city. Fire broke out at the main stage of the event after a large quantity of flammable power exploded, flying off in all directions and engulfing the audience.

One died in the hospital on Monday.