Tragedy Strikes Taiwanese Golf Ball Factory as Death Toll Rises to 10
In a devastating incident at a golf ball factory in southern Taiwan, the death toll has risen to 10, including four firefighters. Launch Technologies, the operator of the plant and a major global supplier of golf balls, suffered a catastrophic fire that led to the collapse of part of the building. Search teams discovered the bodies of the last three missing individuals on Sunday, bringing the tragic event to a grim conclusion.
The fire, which occurred at the Pingtung Technology Industrial Park, caused extensive damage and resulted in approximately 100 injuries. It took more than a day to fully extinguish the blaze, leaving the cause of the fire still unknown. The incident has prompted the Ministry of Labor to launch an investigation into Launch Technologies and its parent company, as the factory has previously been fined for safety violations.
Taiwan is a significant player in the golf ball manufacturing industry, supplying major brands such as Callaway, TaylorMade, Bridgestone, Mizuno, and Wilson. Launch Technologies, listed on the Taipei Exchange, shipped approximately 260 million golf balls last year, accounting for one-fifth of the global total. The United States is the largest market for their products, representing about 80% of their sales.
President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan visited Pingtung County to meet with the victims and their families, expressing her condolences and support during this difficult time.
