UPDATE 2 p.m. with death toll rising to nine
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – A fire at a hospital in Pingtung County’s Donggang Township left nine dead as Typhoon Krathon battered the streets outside, reports said Thursday (Oct. 3).
Initial reports said six people had been found on the 11th floor of Antai Tian-sheng Memorial Hospital and diagnosed with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), per CNA. Attempts to revive the patients failed, with Pingtung County Government later announcing eight had died and two were still missing, the Liberty Times reported.
The death toll rose to nine as a missing staff member was found dead during the afternoon. A patient who had also been reported missing had left the hospital and returned home on his own, CNA reported.
Smoke was seen escaping from Building D around 7:40 a.m., leading management to order the evacuation of more than 323 patients and staff. Heavy rain and strong winds due to the typhoon complicated procedures.
The fire reportedly started from air pressure equipment in a machine room on the second floor of Building D.
