KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan — A military vehicle crash occurred at approximately 6:17 p.m. on July 12 in Qishan District, Kaohsiung City, injuring three soldiers onboard. The incident took place amid ongoing Han Kuang military exercises, drawing immediate attention from military and local authorities.
According to reports, a light tactical wheeled vehicle assigned to the Heavy Defense Battalion of the Eighth Army Corps collided with a roadside guardrail while traveling along Qinan 3rd Road. The impact severely damaged the front of the vehicle and triggered the deployment of airbags, which were found stained with blood. Emergency responders rushed to the scene and pulled the injured soldiers from the wreckage.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene, with the injured lying on the ground, faces bloodied and in visible distress. One soldier, believed to be the driver, suffered facial injuries and an eye contusion from the airbag explosion. He was seen receiving first aid while lying on the ground as instructed by paramedics. Another soldier in the front passenger seat sustained injuries to his limbs and was also bleeding. The third, seated in the rear, was suspected to have struck his head, resulting in further bleeding.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Preliminary findings suggest that fatigue may have been a factor, as such self-collision incidents involving military vehicles are uncommon. The Eighth Army Corps has confirmed that all three soldiers were tested and found not to be under the influence of alcohol. Despite their injuries, all three remain conscious and are not in critical condition.
Military officials have visited the hospital to check on the injured personnel and have pledged full cooperation with the police to determine the exact cause of the accident. The incident highlights the risks faced by service members participating in high-intensity training exercises like Han Kuang, Taiwan’s largest annual military drill.
