Taiwan Rock Fest Canceled

This year’s Hohaiyan Rock Festival at Fulong Beach in Gongliao, Taiwan, has been canceled in the wake of the deadly Formosa Fun Coast water park explosion that left 211 still in critical condition at press time.

Photo: AP Photo

Police investigators inspect the stage area after an accidental explosion during a music concert at the Formosa Water Park in New Taipei City, Taiwan, early June 28.

Hohaiyan was scheduled to take place July 24-26 before being canceled by the New Taipei City government, according to Taiwan News.

The city government felt it would be “unsuitable” to stage a large rock festival in the vicinity so soon following the Formosa tragedy. More than 500 people were injured June 27 when decorative cornstarch powder ignited over a crowd attending a concert at the water park. Two people died from burns and many of the injured are still hospitalized.

Organizers of the Color Play Asia event had reportedly been taken in for questioning by prosecutors. Color Play Asia bills itself as Asia’s largest color party, where revelers dance to live music and spray each other with colored powders.

This year’s Hohaiyan would have been the 16th. It is the first time Hohaiyan has ever been canceled, but the competition portion of the festival involving 10 bands will be rescheduled at a later date because preparations are already under way.

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