Taiwan Hospital Fire Claims Nine Lives Amid Typhoon Krathon’s Fury
A devastating fire ripped through a hospital in southern Taiwan on Thursday, claiming the lives of nine people as a powerful typhoon, Typhoon Krathon, made landfall in the region. The blaze, which broke out around 7:40 am, was put out shortly after 1 pm, but not before it spread quickly through the hospital, making rescue operations more difficult due to strong winds and heavy rains.
According to the island’s fire agency, eight victims were confirmed dead after being taken away for treatment, and another was later found dead at the scene. The local government has launched an investigation into the cause of the blaze and firefighters are still conducting search and rescue operations.
This is not the first time a hospital fire has claimed lives in Taiwan. In recent years, there have been several incidents, including a 2018 blaze at a hospice for the terminally ill near Taipei that killed nine people and injured 30, and a 2012 fire at a nursing facility in Tainan city that killed 13 people and injured 60 others.
Typhoon Krathon, which has forced schools and offices to shut for a second day, has left two dead and more than 100 injured across Taiwan. The typhoon, which packed sustained wind speeds of 126 kilometres per hour and gusts of up to 162 kph, is expected to weaken rapidly after landing, but residents of Kaohsiung were urged to take shelter. Nearly 10,000 people have been evacuated across the island as of Thursday, according to the interior ministry.
The images released by the county government show a glowing red and orange fireball surrounded by billowing smoke, with what appears to be a jet of water aimed at the blaze. Another image shows fire engines and firefighters in protective gear responding to the scene.
As the investigation into the hospital fire continues, authorities are urging caution and vigilance, especially in the face of severe weather conditions.
