Photo: VCG

A fire broke out in a hospital in New Taipei City this morning, local media reported. Nine people died and 10 people were seriously injured.

The local fire department was alerted to the fire at 4:36 am. The fire was under control after an hour.

A total of 24 patients were transferred to other hospitals for emergency treatment, and 31 people were evacuated.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, said local fire crews.