HONG KONG, Sept. 9(Xinhuanet)-- At least three soldiers were killed in an explosion at a weaponry factory in the southern Taiwan county of Kaohsiung Friday, according to reports reaching here from Taipei.

Initial investigations revealed that a machine used in the production of ammunition blew up at the military-run factory in Kaohsiung County's Tashu township, killing three soldiers, the reports said.

The deceased were identified as a sergeant first class, and two staff sergeants.

A special task force has been formed to investigate the cause of the fatal accident, the reports said.

The blast came just two days after a string of explosions rocked an ammunition depot on the island of Matsu. No one was injured in the explosions, and the military is still probing the case. Enditem