Party fireball claims life

A SECOND young victim has died after being engulfed by a fireball that injured nearly 500 people at a Taiwan “colour party”, as organisers face charges after plumes of decorative powder ignited.

Student Liu Chih- wei, 19, suffered burns to almost his entire body in the disaster, which saw crowds of young revellers overtaken by flames after being sprayed with clouds of multicoloured corn starch at last Saturday night’s event.

Mr Liu died in the early hours yesterday, doctors said.

Another victim, 20- year- old Lee Pei- yun, who had suffered 90 per cent burns, died on Monday.

About 1000 spectators had attended Saturday’s Colour Play Asia event at the Formosa Fun Coast water park, just outside the capital Taipei. More than 200 suffered serious injuries and are being treated across 43 hospitals.

Three suspects were released on bail late on Sunday as prosecutors investigate them on charges of offences against public safety and negligence causing severe injuries.

Authorities have speculated that heat from stage lighting or cigarettes could have ignited the corn starch.