Death toll from concert explosion "likely to rise," warns senior Taiwan doctor
The death toll from last week's explosion during a concert at a water park in New Taipei was likely to rise as more than 200 seriously injured people remain in intensive care units, a doctor has warned.
The death toll from last week's explosion during a concert at a water park in New Taipei was likely to rise as more than 200 seriously injured people remain in intensive care units, a doctor has warned.
Dr Tsai Ming-chung, secretary-general of the Taiwan Medical Association, said yesterday that patients with severe burns and inhalation injuries face many, The Central News Agency reported.
Even with the best hospital care in the world, severely burned patients can still succumb to their injuries, Tsai added.
He said the blaze - caused by an exploding cloud of coloured starch powder - was an extremely serious accident. No other country had experienced a similar dust explosion accident that left more than 500 people injured, with more than half of them in intensive care units.
After passing the acute phase in the first week, the intensive care patients are entering the peak period for systemic infections, he said. Those who survive a month often see their conditions become more stable.
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, of the 495 people treated at hospital, two have died, while 449 remain under treatment, including 276 in intensive care units.
As of Saturday afternoon, 230 patients were in critical condition, the ministry said.
Meanwhile, the island's Universal Care Policy Alliance said concerns were running deeper over where funding will come from for those in need of long-term care, despite the passing of the Legislative Yuan's much-awaited long-term care service bill in May.
The Cabinet approved a long-term care insurance bill early last month with the aim of funding the island's long-term care system.
The bill will be sent to the Legislative Yuan for review, and the government has anticipated that the new insurance will take effect in 2020.
President Ma Ying-jeou yesterday pledged that the government will do its utmost to ensure the injured receive proper medical care, according to CNA, adding that Ma also urged the public to extend a helping hand and donate money to help the injured, many of whom face a long road to recovery.
