Party organizer sentenced to prison over Taiwan park blast

The organizer of a water park party that turned deadly last year in Taiwan was sentenced to four years and ten months in prison on Tuesday.

In a first instance verdict, the Shilin District Court convicted Lu Chung-chi, head of a local firm that organized the Color Play Asia party at a water park in New Taipei City on June 27, of negligence that led to deaths and injuries.

Fifteen died and more than 400 people were injured after colored powder used for special effects at the party ignited and exploded.

Lu was in charge of the event's organization and knew the risk of blasting the colored cornstarch powder, but he failed to tell workers to stop ejecting the powder when he left the event stage at around 7 p.m.

According to the verdict, an inexperienced worker accidentally launched the powder onto the high-temperature surface of nearby light bulbs, triggering a fierce blaze and blasts as the powder ignited. The blaze engulfed partygoers.

The loss caused by Lu's negligence was "very severe and huge" and the defendant has not compensated the victims, it added.

Some victims and relatives of victims, who gathered outside the courthouse on Tuesday morning, said they cannot accept such a light sentence for Lu.

Prosecutors have not filed charges against eight park executives due to lack of evidence showing they should be held responsible for the tragedy.

But upon the request of the victims, the Taiwan high prosecutor's office has ordered the Shilin District prosecutor's office to relaunch an investigation into them. Endi