Taipei - Two dozen performers were injured Wednesday when the stage partially collapsed at a New Year's party in Taiwan.

The accident occurred in Toufen Township in western Taiwan. More than 1,000 people were watching the New Year's Eve performance.

Shortly after the party started, the right part of the stage caved in. Two dozen performers who were singing and dancing fell to the ground.

"They were rushed to the hospital. Most of them suffered from cuts and scratches and were released from the hospital, but four remain hospitalized. Among the four, two have broken bones," a duty officer from the Toufen Police Station, said by phone.

Local authorities are investigating if shoddy work caused the stage to partially collapse, Broadcasting Corp of China said. (dpa)