Nine individuals lost their lives on Thursday as a devastating fire engulfed a hospital in southern Taiwan, according to the island's fire agency.
The inferno in Pingtung County was reported at approximately 7.40am and was extinguished by around 1.00pm, as stated in an online post by the fire agency.
Eight of the victims were pronounced dead after being transported for medical treatment, and another was discovered deceased at the scene, the agency confirmed.
The fire occurred on the same day that Typhoon Krathon made landfall in the southern part of the island, although Taiwanese authorities did not establish a connection between the two events.
Krathon led to the closure of schools and offices for a second consecutive day due to strong winds and heavy rainfall, which resulted in two fatalities and over 100 injuries.
