Nine die in massive fire in Taiwan

Nine people have died in a massive fire in central Taiwan at a huge food-processing building that was under construction, according to reports.

Video posted on social media showed a wall of dark smoke and orange flames billowing out of one end of the five-storey building in the city of Taichung.

The cause of the fire was undetermined but the Taichung government said it spread rapidly because of a large quantity of foam panels at the site.

One person died after jumping from the third floor and the other victims were found by firefighters in a search that extended into the evening, Taiwanese media said.

Nineteen people were rescued.