At least eight people have died in a hospital fire in Taiwan as a typhoon struck the south of the island

A fire at a hospital in southern Taiwan killed at least eight people on Thursday morning as a typhoon hit the island.

The fire occurred in Piingtung county, which was hit hard by Typhoon Krathon, which made landfall in the afternoon with torrential rain and strong winds, bringing parts of the island to a standstill.

The deaths were attributed to smoke coming from a source yet to be investigated. Dozens of other patients were evacuated and taken to nearby shelters.

Soldiers from a nearby base were mobilized to help medical personnel and firefighters evacuate patients and put out the flames.