A flashover incident suspected of having been caused by dust occurred last night at Formosa Fun Coast in New Taipei City. Premier Chi-Kuo Mao is concerned with the treatment of the burn victims. Today (the 28th), in addition to convening an emergency response meeting, the premier also went to National Taiwan University Hospital and Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital to visit the victims and their families and expressed shock and grief regarding the major burns that occurred at Formosa Fun Coast. Premier Mao stated that the next few days will be a critical time for the treatment of the victims. The subsequent rehabilitation process will be very long. The premier hopes that everyone cheers for the victims and that the entire country gives the victims and their families maximum support by providing the necessary assistance. 

Premier Mao emphasized that he is extremely concerned with the development of the incident. He has consistently maintained close contact with the New Taipei City Government since the incident occurred yesterday and is providing all of the assistance and resources the central ministries are capable of providing. At 9 AM this morning, the Executive Yuan convened an emergency response meeting. The Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Education, and the Mainland Affairs Council were brought together. The affairs that should be handled immediately and affairs to be handled in the future regarding this incident were discussed thoroughly. Before an emergency response meeting was convened at the New Taipei City Government at 10:00 AM, Mayor Eric Chu was informed of the conclusions of the meeting, central response practices, and directions for action. 

This incident is suspected of having been caused by the use of colored powder during a public event. Premier Mao stated that during this morning’s response meeting, he instructed the National Fire Agency, Ministry of the Interior to convene the relevant units to deliberate regulatory approaches to demand that all public events stop the use of colored powder until the safety of colored powder is confirmed. The National Fire Agency will also convene experts from the Environmental Protection Administration and the Ministry of Labor to deliberate to determine the necessary management measures as quickly as possible and face legal requirements in this area head-on. 

Premier Mao has asked the Ministry of Health and Welfare to mobilize fully to stabilize the victims’ conditions immediately and prepare for the subsequent surgeries, rehabilitation, and psychological treatment required by the victims. In addition, the Executive Yuan has also established an ad-hoc group to integrate the resources available from other ministries and to deliberate subsequent regulations. 

Premier Mao stated that numerous people have shown concern for the victims. He has asked the Ministry of Health and Welfare to take inventory of the skin transplants, artificial skin, and other medical resources and materials that are required to determine whether supplies are sufficient. The preliminary results indicate that stocks are sufficient. If necessary, the government will make emergent deployment of the relevant medical materials. 

Additionally, Premier Mao also stated that a large number of the victims are students. He has asked the Ministry of Education to follow up and provide the necessary care, including comprehensive services for the victims in their future education, medical care, and psychological counseling. Because the victims also include expatriates and mainland Chinese nationals, the Executive Yuan has also asked the Mainland Affairs Council and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work together to assist in contacting families abroad and other matters. 

Premier Mao indicated that as of 10 AM today (the 28th), the total number of victims in this incident comprised 516 people who were hospitalized and 194 who were seriously injured. He has requested that the relevant fire, police, and prosecutorial units ascertain further the causes of the incident to ensure that similar incidents can be avoided in the future. 

Premier Mao has stated that since the incident occurred, in addition to mobilizing firefighting and medical resources immediately, the military and civilian volunteers have also gotten involved and invested themselves to transport victims to medical institutions rapidly for the necessary treatments. He expressed particular gratitude for the power of social mobilization and thanked the health care workers at the related hospitals for playing a key role in rescuing the victims. Premier Mao hopes that all of the admitted victims receive the best care.