PINGTUNG (TVBS News) — Pingtung County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi announced the decision to impose a preliminary NT＄2.4 million fine on golf ball maker Launch Technologies on Monday (Sept. 25) over three law violations that caused the deadly fire at its factory.
In a press conference earlier that day, Chou stated, "We have determined the company's violations to be severe, with a total of three violations. The fire department had taken legal action to report the incident and impose heavy penalties."
Chou noted that the golf ball manufacturer was fined NT＄300,000 as it was found during inspections to stockpile dangerous public goods beyond the permitted limit in its manufacturing premises.
Chou added that the factory management was slapped with an increased fine of NT＄600,000. The managers were found lacking in providing vital information necessary for emergency response, including types and quantities of chemicals and position floor plans.
The third and most costly infraction, totaling NT＄1.5 million penalty, was due to the plant management's failure to appoint dedicated personnel to aid in disaster response, the magistrate stressed.
"Among the four firefighters killed in the factory fire, we were able to verify three of them via DNA identification. We are still waiting for the DNA result of the fourth person, Chen Po-han," she told reporters.
Regarding the update of the six missing employees, Chou said, "Five bodies have been retrieved by their families and placed in the mortuary. Regrettably, we are still working hard to look for the last missing factory worker."
A severe fire explosion occurred at the company's factory in Pingtung Technology Industrial Park on Sept. 22, resulting in hundreds of casualties.