Lu Chung-chi (呂忠吉) / CNA file photo

Taipei, Dec. 12 (CNA) The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a five-year prison sentence against Lu Chung-chi (呂忠吉), the main organizer of a party at water park in New Taipei in 2015 that resulted in 15 deaths and hundreds of injuries.

In addition to serving a five-year sentence, Lu must also pay a fine NT$90,000 (US$2,920), as he has been found guilty of professional negligence, the court ruled in the case.

Lee had filed the appeal after he was convicted and sentenced in May by the Taiwan High Court, which held him responsible for an explosion that occurred during a stage performance a party at Formosa Fun Coast water park in Bali District, New Taipei, on June 27, 2015.

The explosion, caused by a colored powder used to produce special effects at the "Color Play Asia" party, killed 15 people and injured other 471.

Lu, the manager of Color Play Co. and Juipo International Marketing Co., had rented the water park for the party. In the high court's ruling, it said Lu must have known the risk of using that particular powder in a high-temperature environment and he failed to take any fire precautions.

In light of those circumstances, the high court said, it was giving him the maximum sentence of five years in prison for professional negligence.

Lu appealed the ruling with the Supreme Court but lost the case as the sentence was upheld Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Formosa Fun Coast Chairman Chen Po-ting (陳柏廷) is still under investigation by the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office, although it has dropped its charges of professional negligence charges against him.

Thirty-nine people injured in the explosion have filed a lawsuit against the water park, seeking compensation.

(By Hsiao Po-wen and Flor Wang)
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