In a tragic fire incident followed by a subsequent explosion, at least five people died at a golf ball factory in southern Taiwan while over hundred people were injured. It has been reported that five people are still missing as well.
About the incident
According to the authorities, the blaze broke out on Friday night at the factory in Pingtung county and raged overnight. Three firefighters were among the dead, authorities said.
Rescuers are looking for four factory workers and one firefighter as they are still missing, officials said.
What did the authorities say?
According to Taiwanese news outlet Focus Taiwan, President Tsai Ing-wen in a speech in Taipei on Saturday expressed her condolences to the families of the victims and said she would travel to Pingtung to visit those affected by the disaster,
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It has been told that the Pingtung county government had set up an emergency operation center to offer assistance to those impacted by the fire.
Chou Chun-mi, magistrate of Pingtung county, said in a Facebook post that the cause of the fire was still under investigation.
“Facing the grief of the family members, I could not say anything except to bow deeply, apologize, and express my deepest condolences,” she said in the post, after visiting the funeral home and meeting with victims’ families.
Authorities said that natural gas may have contributed to the explosions, which occurred as firefighters were attempting to put out the fire.
