Nine dead in Taiwan hospital blaze: fire agency
A fire at a hospital in Pingtung County, southern Taiwan, resulted in the deaths of nine people on Thursday. The blaze was reported around 7:40 a.m. and was extinguished by approximately 1 p.m., according to the island's fire agency.
- Asia
- AFP
- Published Date: 11:32 | 03 October 2024
- Modified Date: 11:36 | 03 October 2024
Nine people died on Thursday after a fire ripped through a hospital in southern Taiwan, the island's fire agency said.
The blaze in Pingtung County was reported at around 7:40 am, and was put out shortly after 1 pm, according to an online post by the fire agency.
Eight victims were confirmed dead after being taken away for treatment, and another was later found dead at the scene, the agency said.
The fire broke out the same day that Typhoon Krathon made landfall in the island's south, although Taiwanese authorities did not link the two.
Krathon forced schools and offices to shut for a second day amid strong winds and heavy rain that have left two dead and more than 100 injured.