TAIPEI — Taiwan’s navy launched an emergency investigation on Friday after a training accident during a live-fire drill in the Bashi Channel — the strategic waterway between Taiwan and the Philippines — left at least three sailors dead and 11 wounded, the deadliest naval incident in the island’s military in more than a decade, President Lai Ching-te said.
The incident occurred when a Jiageng-class destroyer accidentally launched a Hsiung Feng II anti-ship missile that struck a support vessel participating in the same exercise, according to a preliminary report from Taiwan’s Defence Ministry. The missile struck the stern of the support ship, causing a fire that took more than an hour to bring under control. The three dead were crew members of the support vessel.
“This is a tragedy that should never have happened,” President Lai said in a televised address from the Presidential Office. “I have ordered a full operational halt to all naval exercises pending the outcome of this investigation. Accountability will be enforced.”
The President flew to Kaohsiung on Friday afternoon to meet the families of the dead and wounded sailors, accompanied by Defence Minister Wellington Koo. The Navy’s Chief of Staff tendered his resignation later that evening. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence said the investigation would be completed within 30 days and results made public.
The Bashi Channel is used by the People’s Liberation Army Navy for transit between the East China Sea and South China Sea, and Taiwan’s military conducts regular patrols and exercises in the area. The incident will raise questions about the operational readiness of Taiwan’s navy at a time when cross-strait tensions are elevated.
Beijing described the accident as “symptomatic of deteriorating Taiwan military readiness.” A spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office said the incident demonstrated “the danger of Taiwanese forces operating beyond their capabilities under pressure from the United States.” The Chinese foreign ministry declined to offer condolences to the victims’ families.
The US State Department said it was tracking the situation closely. “We mourn the loss of life among Taiwan’s naval personnel,” a State Department spokesperson said. “We remain committed to supporting Taiwan’s self-defence capabilities and are in ongoing contact with our Taiwanese partners.” The Pentagon said it had no comment on operational details of Taiwan’s military training.
Sources: Reuters, AP, Focus Taiwan, Taiwan News, BBC, CNA, South China Morning Post, Taiwan Defence Ministry, US State Department, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office
Written by Kenji Tanaka, Asia-Pacific Bureau Chief
Kenji Tanaka
Kenji Tanaka covers Asia Pacific security, technology, and geopolitics from Tokyo.