Organizer indicted over Taiwan water park blaze

TAIPEI - An event organizer was indicted in Taipei Friday after a blast at a water park in Taiwan killed 12 people and injured nearly 500 in June.

Lu Chung-chi, head of a local firm that organized the Color Play Asia party at a water park in New Taipei City, was charged with negligence in duties that led to deaths and injuries, according to a local prosecutor's office.

On June 27, a blaze broke out when a large amount of colored starch-based powder was ejected from a stage at the park. The powder ignited before landing on the audience, injuring nearly 500, 86 of whom were critically injured, and some remain in intensive care.

Lu knew of the risks but chose to take a chance and failed to inform field personnel, volunteers and party-goers of the risks, the office said in a statement.

The prosecutors did not bring charges against park managers due to lack of evidence showing they should be held responsible for the tragedy.