Explosion at key defense aerospace company kills 1, injures 6

An explosion and fire at one of Taiwan’s key defense prime aerospace facilities left one person dead and six injured today, Wednesday, December 29.

At 10:12 am, an explosion at the Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation facility shook buildings in the surrounding Xitun District, in Taichung City.

According to reports, a dust explosion occurred due to an accumulation of aluminium alloy dust in a dust collection area. Taichung City Fire Department dispatched units from Zhonggang, Shuinan, Xitun, Liming and other fire stations.

Seven people were rushed to hospital, one person who lost vital signs at the scene of the accident was later declared dead at Taichung Veterans General Hospital. Another person suffered first and second degree burns to his face and limbs. The other five were reported to have suffered slight injuries.

Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC TPE: 2634) is one of two defence prime defence contractors in Taiwan. AIDC manufactures the T-5 Brave Eagle supersonic advanced jet trainer, performs upgrades and repairs to F-16 fighter jets, and manufactures components for aviation companies including Airbus and Boeing at the Taichung City facility.

Air Force officials said this afternoon that the area where the accident occurred did not affect the factory buildings involved in manufacturing Brave Eagle trainer jets or the F-16V (Block 20) ​​overhauls and would have no impact on progress.

AIDC told reporters that the cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Taichung Labor Inspection Office stated that according to their understanding following a preliminary investigation, there was a problem with the aluminum-magnesium alloy cutting operation at the site. AIDC will be ordered to suspend work, and fined up to 300,000 yuan in accordance with the law.

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