TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The death of a firefighter, identified as Lai, in a factory explosion in Pingtung on Friday (Sept. 22) leaves a grieving wife and a devastated mother behind.
Hailing from the U.K., Lai's wife wept on the shoulder of her mother-in-law, struggling to come to terms with the heartbreaking news of his passing on Saturday morning.
Lai was discovered lifeless and pronounced dead at 7:22 p.m. at Pao-Chien Hospital on Friday. The mourning mother recalled, "He was preparing for a wedding banquet on Feb. 24, 2024. I never anticipated such a tragedy; he was a very good boy."
Before the tragedy, the couple had planned to honeymoon in Switzerland, followed by a visit to the fiancée's hometown in Birmingham, UK.
Due to uncertainties about Lai's identification, the family is contemplating DNA testing to verify his identity.
In response to the incident, Pingtung Christian Hospital initiated the mass casualty protocol at 6:20 p.m. on Friday, mobilizing 40 healthcare personnel to assist in life-saving operations.
