Taiwan high-rise fire leaves at least 46 dead, dozens injured

Taiwan high-rise fire leaves at least 46 dead, dozens injured

At least 46 people were killed in a fire overnight Wednesday at a high-rise apartment building in southern Taiwan and dozens of others were injured, local officials said Thursday.

The “extremely fierce” blaze started around 3 a.m. on Thursday, engulfing the entire building in the city of Kaohsiung and destroying many floors.

In this image taken from video by Taiwan’s EBC, fire and smoke pour out from a building in Kaohsiung, in southern Taiwan on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021. The fire engulfed a 13-story building overnight in southern Taiwan, the island’s semi-official Central News Agency reported Thursday. (EBC via AP )
(EBC via AP)

At least 11 bodies were sent straight to the morgue, Fire Chief Li Ching-hsiu told reporters at the scene. Another 14 people who showed no signs of life were among 55 taken to the hospital. In Taiwan, official confirmation of a death can only be made in the hospital.

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The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.