Taiwan factory fire leaves at least 5 dead, more than 100 injured

FILE - In this photo released by the Taiwan Presidential Office, Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen speaks in Taipei, Taiwan on Tuesday, April 11, 2023. In a speech in Taipei on Saturday Ing-wen expressed her condolences to the families of the victims of a golf ball factory fire. (Taiwan Presidential Office via AP, File)

BEIJING -

A fire and subsequent explosions at a golf ball factory in southern Taiwan killed at least five people and injured more than 100 others, and five people are still missing.

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The fire began on Friday night at the factory in Pingtung county and raged overnight. Three firefighters were among the dead, authorities said.

Rescuers were still looking for four factory workers and one firefighter who remained unaccounted for, officials said.

More than 100 people were taken to the hospital with injuries.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen in a speech in Taipei on Saturday expressed her condolences to the families of the victims and said she would travel to Pingtung to visit those affected by the disaster, according to Taiwanese news outlet Focus Taiwan.

Tsai said the Pingtung county government had set up an emergency operation centre to offer assistance to those impacted by the fire.

Chou Chun-mi, magistrate of Pingtung county, said in a Facebook post that the cause of the fire was still under investigation.

"Facing the grief of the family members, I could not say anything except to bow deeply, apologize, and express my deepest condolences," she said in the post, after visiting the funeral home and meeting with victims' families.

Authorities said that natural gas may have contributed to the explosions, which occurred as firefighters were attempting to put out the fire.