Taipei: A Taiwanese marine was discovered shot dead in a military sentry box on a base in Kaohsiung on Saturday night in what appears to be a suicide. The incident involved a first lieutenant, identified only by his surname Hsu, who managed to obtain a firearm and an unspecified amount of ammunition from the base around 7 p.m., the ROC Marine Corps Command stated in a press release.

According to Focus Taiwan, Hsu was a member of the Kaohsiung-based Marine Corps' 99th Brigade and was found dead at one of the corps' bases in the southern port city. The command indicated that the gun and ammunition were accessible for regular maintenance purposes.

Following the discovery, the command promptly sealed off the area to preserve evidence for a police investigation. Additionally, the command has reached out to Hsu's family and is assisting them in dealing with the aftermath of the incident.

While further specifics regarding the timing and location of the event were not disclosed, local media confirmed the location as a military base in Kaohsiung. Authorities urge those experiencing suicidal thoughts in Taiwan to seek help by calling the 1925, 1995, or 1980 hotlines.