TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The founder of Antai Tian-sheng Memorial Hospital (安泰醫院) has pledged to cover all funeral expenses for the victims of a fire that claimed eight lives on Oct. 3 in Pingtung. Su Ching-chuan (蘇清泉), the founder and a Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) legislator, told the Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee (立法院社福及衛環委員會) that criminal liabilities are under investigation.
He assured that civil responsibilities would follow the precedent set by the 2018 Taipei Hospital (台北醫院護理之家) fire. The Pingtung District Prosecutors Office (屏東地檢署) has begun gathering evidence. The fire coincided with Typhoon Krathon, complicating rescue efforts as debris scattered in strong winds. Su noted that the fire's intensity, with temperatures exceeding 300 degrees, caused an immediate power outage.
However, the typhoon's winds forced smoke back through the ventilation system, worsening the casualties. Su also emphasized that the building, over a decade old, did not suffer from wiring issues. He vowed to listen to public concerns and improve the hospital's facilities to prevent future incidents. As investigations proceed, Su's commitment to safety improvements could establish new standards for regional hospitals.
