A fire at Pingtung Technology Industrial Park yesterday claimed the life of a firefighter, while 96 people were taken to hospitals and at least 10 people were missing, local authorities said.
The 10 missing were three firefighters and seven civilians, the Pingtung County Bureau of Fire and Emergency Services said.
The fire, which started in the factory of a golf equipment company, was first reported at 5:31 pm, and 34 fire engines were subsequently dispatched to the scene.
Photo courtesy of the Pingtung Fire Department
While attempting to put out the blaze, another explosion took place, which trapped five firefighters inside the plant, the local fire squad said.
The bureau said it remained unclear how the fire started.
As of 10:23pm, 96 people, including seven firefighters, had been taken to six medical facilities across Pingtung County and Kaohsiung.
Kaohsiung has also dispatched emergency response vehicles and personnel to help extinguish the ongoing blaze.
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