Taipei, July 20 (CNA) A 25-year-old man died Monday of injuries he sustained in a fiery explosion at a water park in New Taipei last month, bringing the death toll from the incident to eight.

Chen Meng-hung (陳孟宏) was pronounced dead at MacKay Memorial Hospital in Taipei before midday after his family decided not to continue apparently futile attempts to save him, the hospital said.

Chen suffered second-to third-degree burns over 55 percent of his body, as well as inhalation burns, the hospital said.

His condition was stable for a while, but later deteriorated, according to the hospital.

Of the nearly 500 people injured in the June 27 incident, 175 people remained listed in critical condition as of Sunday.

The accident occured when cornstarch powder ignited at a party at Formosa Fun Coast water park (八仙樂園), engulfing partygoers in fire.

New Taipei Social Welfare Department officials expressed sadness over Chen's death and said they will present his family with a funeral subsidy of NT$1 million (US$32,102).

(By Chen Ching-fang, Jay Chen and Christie Chen)
ENDITEM/J