The fire happened in Pingtung county in southern Taiwan, which has been hit by Typhoon Krathon, bringing with it torrential rain and heavy winds.

Soldiers from a nearby base helped medical workers and firefighters to evacuate patients while the flames were put out.

176 patients were rushed to the entrance and transferred to ambulances in the pouring rain, according to reports.

The people who died inhaled smoke from the fire, the cause of which is still under investigation.

Typhoon Krathon made landfall in the major port city of Kaohsiung and is forecast to move slowly north and weaken by Friday, before it reaches the country's capital city, Taipei.

According to Taiwan's weather authorities, Kaohsiung has seen winds of 126km/h (78mph), with some gusts even higher.

The authorities warned residents in Kaohsiung and Pingtung county not to go outside when the eye of the storm passed over their area.

Over the past five days, thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate from mountainous and low-lying areas.

Storefronts have been torn down and car parks flooded by strong winds and rain.

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Taiwan's fire department says at least 123 people have been injured in weather-related events around the island.

Two people have died, one after driving into fallen rocks on the road in Taitung county, and the other while trimming tree branches in Hualien.

Two others remain missing.