The interior ministry has held a forum on the management of “large-scale events”. The interior ministry convened the forum Wednesday, inviting government officials and scholars.
The forum aims to tackle the legal issues and safety issues surrounding events where large crowds are gathered. It is a response to the Formosa Fun Park dust explosion in June, which took at least 11 lives and left hundreds seriously injured.
Interior minister Chen Wei-zen said Wednesday that the issues on the forum agenda are broad. They include defining a “large-scale event” and determining whether the central government or local authorities should be responsible for regulating events. Attendees will also discuss whether organizers should be required to apply for permits before holding events.
Meanwhile, Premier Mao Chi-kuo said another important issue is whether the government should set up a mechanism for coordinating between emergency responders and medical personnel.
Mao said June’s dust explosion brought forward lessons that must be learned. He said the government has a duty to strengthen regulations on large-scale events in the interest of public safety.