Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • All Woman
  • Career & Education
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Classifieds
  • Design Week
Death toll in a Taiwanese golf ball factory fire rises to 10
In this image made from video footage run by FTV, people watch a fire from a factory of golf ball manufacturer Launch Technologies Co. in the southern county of Pingtung in Taiwan on Friday, September 22, 2023. Search teams found more bodies on Sunday at the site of a golf ball factory fire in southern Taiwan, according to Taiwanese media reports. (FTV via AP)
Latest News
September 24, 2023

Death toll in a Taiwanese golf ball factory fire rises to 10

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Search teams found the bodies of the last three missing people on Sunday at the site of a golf ball factory fire in southern Taiwan, bringing the death toll to 10, according to Taiwanese media reports.

Launch Technologies, the operator of the plant, is a major global supplier of golf balls.

Four of the victims were firefighters. Taiwan’s Central News Agency, quoting a Pingtung County fire official, said an explosion caused part of the building to collapse about 6:10 pm on Friday, trapping firefighters and workers under rubble, A second explosion followed 20 minutes later.

Two bodies were found Sunday morning and the final one was recovered in the afternoon. About 100 people were injured in the blaze at Pingtung Technology Industrial Park. The fire was not extinguished until the next day. The cause remained unclear.

Taiwan is a major manufacturer of golf balls with factories supplying major brands including Callaway, TaylorMade, Bridgestone, Mizuno and Wilson, according to the 2021 annual report of Launch Technologies Co.

Launch Technologies, which is listed on the Taipei Exchange, shipped about 260 million golf balls last year, accounting for one-fifth of the global total, the Central News Agency said. About 80 per cent of its sales are in the United States.

The Ministry of Labor said Saturday it would open an occupational safety investigation into Launch Technologies and its parent company. The factory, which is in an export processing zone, has been fined in the past for violations found during inspections, the Central News Agency said.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen traveled to Pingtung County on Saturday and met with victims and their families, Taiwanese broadcaster TVBS reported.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Pope Leo says welfare of Venezuelans must prevail
Latest News, News
Pope Leo says welfare of Venezuelans must prevail
January 4, 2026
Vatican City, Holy See (AFP) —Pope Leo XIV on Sunday said Venezuelans' welfare should prevail and the country's sovereignty should be guaranteed after...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Over 30 killed, several kidnapped in central Nigeria
International News, Latest News
Over 30 killed, several kidnapped in central Nigeria
January 4, 2026
LAGOS, Nigeria (AFP) — Armed gangs have raided a village in a north-central Nigerian state where hundreds of schoolchildren were abducted late last ye...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Flash flood watch issued for several parishes as unstable weather continues
Latest News, News
Flash flood watch issued for several parishes as unstable weather continues
January 4, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Meteorological Service of Jamaica has issued a flash flood watch for low-lying and flood-prone areas of St Mary, Portland, St ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Barbados PM calls for de-escalation of conflict in Venezuela
Latest News, Regional
Barbados PM calls for de-escalation of conflict in Venezuela
January 4, 2026
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley has described as “uncharted territory” the events that unfolded in Venezuela on Satu...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
US to work with current Venezuela leaders if they make ‘right decision’ — Rubio
International News, Latest News
US to work with current Venezuela leaders if they make ‘right decision’ — Rubio
January 4, 2026
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States is ready to work with Venezuela's remaining leaders if they make "the right decision," Secretary o...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Business, Latest News
Kintyre and Miracle talk up growth opportunities with ‘Bold’ partnership
January 3, 2026
The principals of Kintyre Holdings (JA) Limited and Miracle Corporation say their companies’ strategic joint venture is positioned to be a major force...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Venezuela’s Maduro arrives in US after capture
International News, Latest News
Venezuela’s Maduro arrives in US after capture
January 3, 2026
NEWBURGH, United States (AFP) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrived Saturday evening at a military base in the United States after his captur...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Hundreds of flights cancelled across the Caribbean amid US attack on Venezuela
Latest News, News
Hundreds of flights cancelled across the Caribbean amid US attack on Venezuela
January 3, 2026
NEW YORK, United States — Air travel disruptions are expected to last for days as hundreds of flights scheduled for the Caribbean have been cancelled ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct