Hsiung Feng III missile mishap
Date | 1 July 2016 |
---|---|
Time | 8:40 a.m. |
Location | Off Penghu, Taiwan |
Participants | Taiwan |
Deaths | 1 |
Non-fatal injuries | 3 |
On 1 July 2016, a Hsiung Feng III missile was accidentally launched from a Republic of China Navy vessel from water off Kaohsiung towards Penghu. The missile hit a fishing boat at 8:40 a.m., killing one person and injuring three.[1][2]
Chronology
The Chin Chiang PGG-610 (Chinese: 金江號) patrol ship was undergoing a regular simulation training exercise for military equipment on the morning of 1 July (Friday) at Zuoying Naval Base in Zuoying District, Kaohsiung. The missile was accidentally launched at 8:00 a.m. during an inspection at the navy base. The missile cruised around 75 kilometres (47 mi) for two minutes towards mainland China before hitting the Taiwanese fishing boat. The missile did not explode upon impact. Upon impact, the navy sent a helicopter and navy vessels to the area for damage inspection.[3]
The mishap killed the Taiwanese boat's captain and injured its three crew members, from Taiwan, the Philippines and Vietnam.[3]
The missile did not cross the median line of the Taiwan Strait, which separates Taiwan and mainland China.[4]
An investigation of the incident concluded in August 2016.[5][6] Three ROC naval officers were charged by the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office.[7] The Ministry of Justice announced November that the family of captain Huang Wen-chung would be paid NT$34.84 million in compensation.[8]
Reactions
- People's Republic of China - The incident took place on the same day as the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China in Beijing. Taiwan Affairs Office Head Zhang Zhijun urged Taiwan to give a "responsible explanation" of the incident.[9]
References
- ^ Phippen, J. Weston. "Taiwan's Deadly Missile Mishap".
- ^ "Taiwan mistakenly fires supersonic missile killing one - BBC News".
- ^ a b "Accidental firing of missile likely due to human error: Navy". Central News Agency.
- ^ "Taiwan Navy Accidentally Fires Antiship Missile, Killing Fisherman". The New York Times. 2 July 2016.
- ^ Chen, Wei-han (30 August 2016). "MND explains cause of missile incident". Taipei Times. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ Lu, Hsin-hui; Liu, Kay (29 August 2016). "Poor discipline blamed for Navy's July missile accident". Central News Agency. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ Chang, Che-fon; Liu, Kay (29 August 2016). "Prosecutors find negligence in Navy's mistaken missile launch". Central News Agency. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ Chu, Che-wei and; Wu, Lilian (17 November 2016). "Family of fisherman killed by Navy missile receives compensation". Central News Agency. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ 马驰 (1 July 2016). "Mainland urges Taiwan to explain missile misfire". Chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 20 July 2016.