BULL IN A CHINA FLOP

Taiwanese navy accidentally fires HYPERSONIC MISSILE at fishing vessel as tensions with enemies China ratcheted up

One fisherman killed and three other injured as rocket heads towards China and slams into trawler

TAIWAN has accidentally fired a hypersonic missile towards regional enemies China - killing a local fisherman.

Three others were injured when the Hsiung Feng III rocket slammed into the vessel off the coast of Taiwan.

Advertisement
Taiwan has accidentally fired a hypersonic missile towards China, landing on a fishing vessel and killing its captainCredit: Getty Images

It had been accidentally set off while a patrol boat was being inspected at a naval base.

Government officials were quick to deny it was a sabre-rattling move aimed at riling bitter neighbours China.

The missiles fired are capable carrying nuclear warheads and travelling at speeds of up to 5,000mph.

The tiny island declared independence from the mainland following the Chinese Communist revolution in the late 1940s.

Advertisement

related stories

NO MORE SNAPS!
Massive crocodile tormented for selfies is finally released from private Taiwan zoo by animal activists
TRAIN BLAST HORROR
At least 21 people injured after train explodes and burst into flames in Taiwan
BUS INFERNO HORROR
At least 26 tourists are burned alive after coach bursts into flames on motorway in Taiwan
Threat in the skies
Beijing sends bombers and jet fighters over contested islands in the South China Sea

Beijing often fires threats about re-taking the territory and has an arsenal of weapons pointed at the island.

And the latest error is unlikely to soothe fractured relations between the neighbours.

The missile flew 50 miles out to sea before landing on the ship - killing its Taiwanese captain and injuring three more.

Taiwan and China have a fraught relationship since the former declared independence following the Chinese Communist revolution in the late 1940sCredit: google maps
Advertisement

A defence ministry spokesman was quick to deny the act was planned.

Chen Chung-chi said: "It is not the case that this is politically motivated, or to create crisis."

Five commanding officers have been disciplined following the incident.

One, Petty Officer Kao Chia-chun, 33, is believed to have wrongly armed four missiles before seeing two of them off.

Advertisement

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368


 

Topics
Advertisement
machibet777.com