At least nine people died in a hospital fire in southern Taiwan on Thursday as Typhoon Krathon lashed the island with torrential rains and powerful winds, authorities reported.
The blaze broke out at a hospital in Pingtung county, one of the areas hardest hit by the typhoon. Officials said the victims died from smoke inhalation, while the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
“This is a tragic incident compounded by the severe weather conditions,” said a local fire department spokesperson, speaking on condition of anonymity due to department policy.
Soldiers from a nearby base assisted medical workers and firefighters in evacuating 176 patients amid pouring rain. Patients were rushed to the hospital’s entrance and transferred to ambulances or placed under tarps before being moved to nearby shelters.
Typhoon Krathon made landfall in the port city of Kaohsiung with winds reaching 126 kph (78 mph) and higher gusts, according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau. The slow-moving storm has drenched eastern and southern parts of the island for five days, forcing thousands to evacuate from mountainous and low-lying areas.
“We urge residents in Kaohsiung and Pingtung County to remain indoors as the eye of the storm passes,” a weather bureau official stated during a press briefing.
The typhoon has caused significant damage to various industries, including fishing and chemicals, while disrupting transportation and power networks. Taiwan has made efforts to improve fire safety in public facilities in recent years, including smoking bans and stricter building regulations.
