The conditions of the two troops who were most seriously injured in an explosion at a Keelung military ammunition depot on Monday have stabilized following emergency surgeries, the Ministry of National Defense said yesterday.
A staff sergeant surnamed Hung (洪) has since been transferred from Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Keelung where he first was operated on to the military-run Tri-Service General Hospital in Taipei for follow-up care, the ministry said in a statement.
The explosion that seriously injured Hung and eight other troops occurred at about 3pm on Monday at the Hsiang Feng military base in Keelung when troops were inspecting 120mm mortar rounds shipped back to Taiwan from the island of Matsu (馬祖) to determine which ones could still be used, the ministry said.
Photo: CNA
The incident had nothing to do with the ongoing five-day live-fire portion of the Han Kuang exercises, the nation’s largest military drills involving all military branches, the ministry said.
The base serves as an ammunition depot for the Sixth Army Corps, which is responsible for protecting northern Taiwan.
A committee has been established to investigate the cause of the explosion, it said.
Hung, 35, had his right thigh and left arm severely disfigured in the accident and arrived at the hospital without vital signs, but was revived, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital said.
Another soldier seriously injured in the blast was a 34-year-old sergeant surnamed Yin (尹), who suffered second and third-degree burns on his arms and face, as well as extensive damage to his left arm.
Yin was also transferred to Tri-Service General Hospital after receiving treatment in Keelung.
Seven others suffered minor injuries and are also being monitored at the military hospital in Taipei’s Neihu District (內湖).
The hospital’s deputy superintendent Tsai Yi-ting (蔡宜廷) said Hung’s and Yi’s conditions have stabilized, while the other seven troops were in good condition.
Given that Hung and Yin suffered serious injuries to their hands and other body parts, they would likely face a long rehabilitation process, Tsai said.
President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) visited Hung and the others injured in the blast at the hospital yesterday.
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