A fisherman has been killed and three more injured after the navy accidentally fired an anti-ship missile.
The Hsiung Feng III supersonic missile was fired at 8:15 am Friday at the southern Tsoying naval base while the navy was conducting a training session. It landed in waters off Penghu Island, where its explosion destroyed a fishing boat causing the death and injuries to the men on board.
The military has already set up a working group to investigate the incident and has promised to take responsibility.
At a press conference, Rear Admiral Mei Chia-shu said the accident was caused by human error.
“The servicemen did not follow standard operating procedures. To make sure no [objects] were accidentally hit after firing the missile, the navy has already sent an S-70C [helicopter] to conduct a search mission along the flight route to reach the most possible landing location. [Six] navy vessels were also sent to the same area," said Mei.
The Hsiung Feng III is a powerful supersonic anti-ship weapon with a reported range of 300 kilometers. The missile did not cross the median line of the Taiwan Strait.