A FIRE at a hospital in southern Taiwan killed at least nine people today as the island was battered by a typhoon.

The blaze occurred in Pingtung county, which has been hit hard by Typhoon Krathon. The storm made landfall in the afternoon, bringing torrential rains and heavy winds that brought parts of the island to a standstill.

Those who died inhaled smoke from the fire, the cause of which was under investigation.