On December 19, 2024, a tragic fire broke out at an under-construction food processing center owned by PX Mart in Taichung, Taiwan, resulting in nine fatalities and seven injuries.
The blaze began around 1:24 p.m. at the facility located on Shatian Road in Taichung's Dadu District. Approximately 30 construction workers were present at the time. While many managed to escape, several were trapped on various floors. Firefighters discovered five victims on the third floor mezzanine, likely hindered by partitioned areas that impeded their escape.
Preliminary investigations suggest that welding work on the third floor produced sparks that fell through gaps into the basement, igniting flammable materials and causing the fire. The exact cause remains under investigation.
PX Mart, Taiwan's largest supermarket chain with over 1,200 branches, stated that no employees were at the construction site during the incident. The company has pledged to cooperate fully with authorities in the ongoing investigation.
This incident is the latest in a series of deadly fires in Taiwan, raising concerns about construction safety standards and emergency preparedness.
