Nine people have been confirmed dead after a devastating fire tore through a hospital in southern Taiwan, local authorities and media reported on Wednesday. The tragedy struck at Pingtung County Hospital around 09:40 local time (01:00 GMT), coinciding with the arrival of Typhoon Krathon, which had just made landfall to the west in neighboring Kaohsiung.
The typhoon, with its torrential rains and high winds, severely hindered the emergency response efforts, complicating the rescue and firefighting operations. It took emergency personnel more than three hours to fully extinguish the blaze, as they contended not only with the intense flames and thick smoke but also the challenging weather conditions brought on by the storm.
The fire reportedly broke out on one of the upper floors of Pingtung County Hospital. According to initial reports, hospital staff noticed thick grey smoke billowing from the building and immediately began evacuating patients. Within minutes, firefighters, joined by soldiers from a nearby military base, arrived on the scene to combat the blaze and assist with evacuations.
As the fire raged on, around 300 patients were successfully evacuated from the hospital. Many of them were moved to safety at a nearby commercial establishment, where they waited for the fire to be brought under control. Some of the patients were visibly distressed as they were rushed out of the hospital, many still hooked up to medical devices as they were carried by emergency workers.
Local media outlets released photographs and videos of the hospital during the fire, showing thick clouds of smoke enveloping the building as firefighters battled the blaze. Several of the windows appeared to have been blown out, with dark smoke pouring from the openings.
The firefighting efforts were made more difficult by the severe weather conditions brought on by Typhoon Krathon, which had made landfall in Kaohsiung just hours before the fire began. The typhoon was already causing widespread disruption across southern Taiwan, with heavy rains and wind speeds of up to 130 kilometers per hour (80 miles per hour). The storm resulted in power outages, flooding, and downed trees in several areas, including Pingtung County.
The wet and windy conditions posed significant challenges for the emergency responders. One report from the scene described how firefighters struggled to control the blaze as gusts of wind fanned the flames, making it difficult to contain the fire’s spread. Additionally, the rain complicated efforts to move patients to safer locations, as emergency teams had to navigate through flooded streets and debris.
Despite these obstacles, local firefighters and soldiers from a nearby military base worked tirelessly to put out the fire and ensure the safety of as many patients as possible. However, the scale of the disaster, coupled with the timing of the typhoon, made it impossible to prevent the loss of life.
Tragically, nine people lost their lives in the fire. The identities of the victims have not yet been released, as authorities are working to notify their families. According to reports from local health officials, some of the deceased were elderly patients who were unable to escape the hospital in time due to mobility issues. Others were said to have succumbed to smoke inhalation before they could be rescued.
In addition to the nine fatalities, several other patients sustained injuries, with some in critical condition. Local hospitals have been mobilized to treat those who were affected by the fire, while authorities are closely monitoring the situation for any further developments.
A full investigation into the cause of the fire is underway, with some reports suggesting it may have been triggered by an electrical fault. However, officials have not yet confirmed these claims, and more information is expected to emerge as investigators continue their work.
