Things went horrifically wrong during a concert at a water park in Taiwan, with something initially described as an “unknown substance” exploding from the stage. There are about 100 serious injuries, and an additional 125 people hurt.
What you’re seeing in the video below is a fireball quickly forming on the stage, with screaming people running through flames. And as more news reports come in fro Taiwan’s official Central News Agency, it’s looking more like the “unknown substance” is a “flammable powder” that exploded and pretty much ignited the atmosphere. It’s looking like that powder was really holi powder–which is colored cornstarch, which is a really stupid thing to let loose in a crowded area where something could really ignite.
Anyone who’s ever enjoyed a drunken bonfire might know what cornstarch does when scattered over a fire. It creates a monstrous fireball. There are also about a dozen other real-word scenarios where cornstarch is considered to be a very serious threat to life and limb. We’re talking about a really, really stupid accident that could’ve been easily prevented.
We were going to feel bad about adding this video, but CNN absolutely gushed over it. In contrast, we’re feeling pretty responsible in warning that it’s kind of horrifying…
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7TSqFNmMmw]