The High Court yesterday found that the New Taipei City Government and Tourism Administration were negligent in their duties and must compensate the victims of a 2015 water park explosion.
During a “Color Play Asia” party at the now-defunct Formosa Fun Coast (八仙樂園) water park on June 27, 2015, powder blown into the air ignited, leading to 15 deaths and nearly 500 injuries.
Families of the victims later sued the Tourism Bureau (now the Tourism Administration), the New Taipei City Government and the National Fire Agency for compensation.
Photo: Taipei Times
They lost the first two trials prior to yesterday’s ruling.
Seven parents appealed their case to the High Court, which yesterday found that the city government and tourism agency bear some responsibility for the accident.
The court ordered each of the plaintiffs to receive NT$3 million (US$91,465), for a total of NT$21 million in restitution to be paid out.
The National Fire Agency was found not responsible.
This judgement can be appealed.
The Tourism Administration and New Taipei City Government said they would consult with lawyers regarding respective next steps.
The court said that prior to the party, the tourism agency knew the water park did not have the proper certification to host such events.
However, it failed to impose fines, revoke its business license or demand improvements, the ruling said.
The New Taipei City Government conducted inspections of the water park, but failed to properly supervise correction of its issues, the ruling said.
Personnel from the city’s Urban and Rural Development Bureau failed to fine or order the demolition of the park, despite the fact that it was built illegally on land designated for agricultural use, it said.
The New Taipei City Public Works Department also did not bring the facility in line with regulations, even after the area was illegally subdivided and leased out, it added.
During the “Color Play Asia” party, colored powder was sprayed from the stage onto the dance floor, creating a cloud of dust that ignited when it came into contact with hot lightbulbs.
Although the event organizer, Lu Chung-chi (呂忠吉), was sentenced to nearly five years in prison for his role in the incident, officials’ negligence also played a role, the ruling said.
The National Fire Agency, having never encountered an outdoor dust explosion, was deemed to be not negligent and was exempted from providing compensation to victims, the court added.
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