More than 200 people were set on fire after an explosion at a water park in Taiwan caused a fireball to tear through a huge crowd today.

Coloured powder sprayed onto hundreds of people suddenly ignited, with flames engulfing people as they tried to flee.

Shocking footage of the accident shows chaotic scenes as victims try to escape from the flames while screaming in agony.

Inferno: More than 200 people have been badly injured after an explosion at a water park in Taiwan saw a fireball tear through a huge crowd

Party: Around 1,000 people were celebrating at a festival before the sudden explosion earlier today

Explosion: Coloured powder sprayed onto hundreds of people suddenly ignited, with flames engulfing people as they tried to flee

More than 200 people were taken to hospital after the blaze, with 80 in a serious condition. Miraculously, no fatalities have been reported as of yet.

It is believed that 1,000 people were inside the amusement park when the powder was sprayed on the crowd as part of a colour party - a festival of dance and music where people cover themselves in bright paint.

A video taken inside the park shows hundreds of people dancing as loud music is played.

But the crowd's shouts of joy suddenly become screams of terror as the powder sprayed over the crowds bursts into flames.

Panic: Shocking footage of the accident shows chaotic scenes as victims try to escape from the flames while screaming in agony

Victims: Friends were seen comforting people severely burned in the fire at the Taiwanese amusement park

Terrifying: More than 200 people were taken to hospital after the blaze, with 80 in a serious condition

Crowded: It is believed that 1,000 people were inside the amusement park when the powder caught fire

Injured: Victims were carried out on inflatables at the water park by friends who managed to escape the blaze

Hurt: A man carries an injured woman away from the scene of the explosion at the water park in Taiwan

Agony: A victim grimaces as she is treated for burns outside the Formosa Water Park in New Taipei City

A badly burned woman - still wearing her wristband from the water park - looks in pain as she is tended to

It took just seconds for the fire to spread through the throngs of revellers, with dozens seen running for their lives through the huge blaze.

Friends can be seen tripping over each other as they try to escape while the music and lights show continues.

Rescue workers and bystanders carried burned and injured people on their backs, in inflatables and on stretchers to get medical treatment.

One male witness told local news channel CTI: 'It started on the left side of the stage. At the beginning I thought it was part of the special effects of the party but then I realised there was something wrong and people started screaming and running.'

Gutted: The abandoned stage at Formosa Water Park, where more than 200 people were injured, 80 seriously

Rescue workers and bystanders carried burned and injured people on their backs, in inflatables and on stretchers to get medical treatment

Taiwanese firefighters lift a woman towards an ambulance after the terrifying explosion at a water park

The fire at Formosa Water Park near the island's capital was quickly brought under control

Rescue workers and bystanders carried burned and injured people to get medical treatment after the inferno

Chaos: Paramedics appeared to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of injuries following the blaze

Lifeguards carry a young woman on an inflatable after the horrendous blast earlier today in Taiwan

Horrific scenes: Friends tend to the injured outside the venue, with some suffering up to 40 per cent burns

Path of destruction: A trail of bloody footprints are seen on the pavement outside the amusement park

New Taipei City fire department said 205 people were injured, with 81 suffering serious burns. Some suffered burns to more than 40 per cent of their bodies.

A spokesman said: 'Our initial understanding is this explosion and fire... was caused by the powder spray. It could have been due to the heat of the lights on the stage.'

The fire at the Formosa Water Park near the island's capital was quickly brought under control, according to local reports.

Mayor of New Taipei Eric Chu said: 'We feel sad and regretful about the accident.