PINGTUNG (TVBS News) — A devastating fire engulfed Antai Tian-Sheng Memorial Hospital (屏東東港安泰醫院) in Donggang Township on Thursday (Oct. 3), claiming nine lives after nearly six hours of firefighting efforts.
Hospital staff and patients, totaling 324 individuals, evacuated amid the typhoon storm. Most victims were patients trapped on the higher floors of Building D.
The Pingtung Health Bureau explained that the initial understanding indicated the fire originated from an air compressor in the machine room on the second floor.
Due to the high temperature, firefighters could only cool down the area first. As the generator and oil tanks in the machine room were full, firefighters worried the fire could expand, so they were divided into groups to conduct search and rescue.
The deceased include seven men and two women, aged 36 to 86. Seven succumbed to smoke inhalation and asphyxiation, while authorities await autopsy results to determine the cause of death for the remaining two.
A missing 57-year-old hospital employee, identified only by his surname Wang, was later found dead on the first floor of the power center, marking the ninth casualty.
Prosecutors conducted examinations on eight victims on Thursday, confirming asphyxiation and smoke inhalation as the cause of death for seven. They plan further autopsies to clarify the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the other two victims.
This tragedy highlights the critical need for robust fire safety measures in healthcare facilities. As the community mourns, authorities may need to reevaluate safety protocols to prevent future incidents.