Soldier’s death at Taichung base under investigation

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The body of a 26-year-old volunteer soldier will undergo forensic examination Wednesday (Oct. 9) after a tragic accident on a military base in Taichung a day earlier.

The accident occurred at Ching-Chuan-Kang Air Force Base (清泉崗基地) in Taichung (台中) during a small fire arms shooting exercise when the 26-year-old soldier, surnamed Hsu (許), accidentally discharged his rifle, resulting in a fatal injury to his face.

Medical personnel transported him to a hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries. Hsu, previously a conscript, re-enlisted as a volunteer soldier in June.

He was the only adopted son of his mother and maintained a close, harmonious relationship with his family. The Taichung District Prosecutors Office (台中地檢署) stated that Hsu's body is currently at the Mortuary Services Office Taichung City (崇德殯儀館).

The forensic examination will determine the cause of death and the circumstances surrounding the incident. In the mean time, Sun Li-fang (孫立方), a spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense (MND, 國防部), urged the public not to speculate on the incident to prevent further distress to Hsu's family.