Father of Taiwan waterpark fire victim commits suicide—report

The father of one of the victims in a massive fire in Taiwan waterpark committed suicide on Saturday, police said.

In a report published by Taipei Times, the 63-year-old man, surnamed Wang, was found dead by his eldest son in their old house in Jhongli.

Before his death, Wang and his wife visited their son who was recovering at the Linkou branch of the Chang Kung Memorial Hospital. His son suffered burns in more than 20 percent of his body.

After their hospital visit, Wang went missing before being found dead.

“Police said Wang’s second son suffered burns to more than 20 percent of his body, and Wang probably ended his life because of the physical and mental toll from his son’s ordeal,” the report said.

In the aftermath of the suicide, the New Taipei City government asked people “to cherish their lives” and asked family and relatives of burn victims to “seek assistance from one of the city’s burn management centers.”

The June 27 tragedy during the concert at Formosa Fun Coast Water Park killed seven people and injured 370 people. A total of 174 were in critical condition.

The party-goers were burned after colored powder from the stage caught fire. AJH

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