The Cabinet has criticized the media for inaccurate reporting on the number of deaths caused by the recent cold snap. The past weekend brought near-freezing temperatures and even snowfall to parts of Taiwan.
Media outlets including Taiwan’s Central News Agency, newspaper Apple Daily, and the BBC’s Chinese service all reported 85 cold snap-related deaths. However, a health ministry investigation has found that the cold snap only resulted in three deaths.
Cabinet Spokesperson Sun Lih-chyun said that inflated figures reported in Taiwan’s domestic media were picked up by international media. Sun said that these inaccurate reports reflect poorly on Taiwan’s healthcare system.