Nine dead as fire engulfs hospital in Taiwan

Nine people were killed in a hospital fire in southern Taiwan on Thursday, according to the island’s fire agency.

The blaze broke out at around 7:40 a.m. in Pingtung County and was fully extinguished by about 1 p.m., the agency reported in a statement.

Eight victims were confirmed dead after being taken for treatment, while another was later found deceased at the scene.

The fire occurred on the same day Typhoon Krathon made landfall in southern Taiwan, but authorities have not suggested a connection between the two events.

Krathon brought strong winds and heavy rain, prompting a second day of school and office closures. The storm has so far claimed two lives and left over 100 people injured.