The government will take every possible measure to help the victims of last week's fiery blast at a water park in New Taipei, Premier Mao Chi-kuo vowed at a press conference following this morning's Cabinet meeting.
Today marks the sixth day since the June 27 explosion at the Formosa Fun Coast Water Park injured nearly 500 people at an outdoor party, Mao said. He expressed profound grief for the two young victims who died this week, adding that thousands of medical personnel are working around the clock to treat more than 400 other victims.
"At this point, we have one singular concern, and that is to do all we possibly can to help these young people from across Taiwan fight for their lives. These few days are key, and our top priority is to save lives. We will extend every possible assistance to help the victims through this critical juncture."
Many of the survivors will also face a long road to recovery. Mao has asked government agencies to summon all their resources in helping with long-term care and rehabilitation, protecting the victims' rights, identifying those responsible for the accident, and pursuing legal action.
The premier outlined four principles for the government in handling this incident:
1. Save lives first: Every life must be saved, no matter what the cost.
2. One person, one case: A foundation will be established to assist victims over the long term.
3. Integration and teamwork: Combine the resources of central and local governments as well as the private sector.
4. Accountability: Investigate the causes of the accident, find where the responsibility lies, and make thorough changes.
As for the government's future work, Mao said that burn victims will require long-term assistance for physical rehabilitation and for rebuilding their lives, which is why the resources of all quarters of society will be needed.
"We are planning to set up a foundation that will integrate local and private resources to offer long-term support and services to burn patients. We want to assure the families of the victims that we will help everyone through each step of the way. As for how this foundation should be established, we have already received many excellent recommendations from across the nation, and we welcome everyone's continued input."
Mao said that the Executive Yuan had initially set up an inter-ministerial response team under Minister without Portfolio Yeh Shin-cheng the day after the explosion. This team will now upgraded to a special task force convened by Vice Premier Chang San-cheng and three deputy conveners—Minister without Portfolio Yeh, Minister of Health and Welfare Chiang Been-huang and an official from the New Taipei City Government.
The task force's primary missions are to coordinate the transfer of medical supplies required to stabilize patients now and for future operations; to provide burn patients and their families with long-term support after leaving the hospital; and to protect the legal rights and interests of the patients. An additional secretariat unit will be responsible for administrative coordination.
The premier himself and the vice premier will call the first regular meeting of the task force tomorrow. Aside from the pressing matters of emergency medical treatment and care support for victims and families, the meeting will address issues down the road including victims' rights protection and insurance claims. The task force will also take charge of establishing the foundation mentioned earlier.
Over the past few days, the New Taipei City Government and the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) have each set up charity accounts to accept monetary donations from the public. Premier Mao called on citizens to act with compassion and contribute according to their financial ability.
With more summer activities to come for students on vacation, Premier Mao reiterated the ban on fine combustible powder for all future events. As many of the injured are students, the Ministry of Education has begun tending to the students on an individual basis.
"The government will get to the bottom of who is to blame for this accident and will pursue criminal and civil actions to the full extent of the law," pledged the premier. He instructed the Executive Yuan's Department of Consumer Protection to assist the victims in claiming compensation against the party organizer and the water park, both of whom should take up due responsibility, he said.
Finally, Premier Mao expressed his hope that citizens would set aside their differences to pray for the victims and to encourage the families and hospital staff. In addition to the many unsung heroes in this accident, he extended his sincere gratitude and highest respects to the first responders and the frontline medical workers.
Also present at today's press conference were Vice Premier Chang, Minister without Portfolio Yeh, Executive Yuan Spokesperson Sun Lih-chyun, MOHW Minister Chiang, Minister of the Interior Chen Wei-zen, Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Jian-yu, and New Taipei City Deputy Mayor Chen Shen-hsien.