TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — An airman has died after being accidentally shot during weapons training in Taichung on Tuesday (Oct. 8).
An Air Force private surnamed Hsu (許) was shot at a base attached to Taichung International Airport during small arms training, the defense ministry said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon. Hsu was immediately taken to the nearby Tungs' Taichung Metro Harbor Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The statement said that the Air Force Command had immediately contacted the deceased soldier’s family and sent high-level personnel to attend to relevant matters. The command has also set up a task force to cooperate with any investigations to clarify the cause of the incident.
Before the defense ministry’s statement, multiple media outlets reported that the soldier died from a gunshot wound to the face. Speaking to reporters after the incident, Defense Ministry Spokesperson Sun Li-fang (孫立方) said an investigation is ongoing and asked the public to refrain from speculation until it is complete.
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) responded to the incident at the legislature on Tuesday afternoon. He said Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) is expected to ask the Air Force Command to investigate the incident to provide a full explanation for the deceased soldier’s family and society.