Two AsiaWorld-Expo shows cancelled after Taipei 'party powder' tragedy

The organiser of a music party scheduled for later this month at AsiaWorld-Expo has cancelled this year's event in consideration of "public sentiment" after the party powder explosion in Taiwan which killed three Taiwanese and left about 500 injured, including six Hongkongers.

Also, a spokesman for AsiaWorld-Expo, the venue for "The Colour Run", a separate event scheduled for December, said it would not be held in the Lantau centre for the same reason.

Both events, which would use colour paint and coloured powder respectively, have sparked concern from the government and the public after the powder explosion during a party at Formosa Fun Coast water park in New Taipei City on June 27.

The Fire Services Department said previously it would not issue a licence for the first event until it had examined samples of the product to be used.

"[Due to] the public concern and misgiving caused by the Taiwan powder explosion, an agreement was reached between AsiaWorld-Expo and the organiser to postpone 'Life in Colour' to next summer," said a statement from the venue management.

A Hong Kong-based promoter for "Life in Colour" said yesterday: "This is not the right time to hold it considering the injured people from Hong Kong."