Current:Home > Finance3 people mistakenly eat laundry detergent in Taiwan election giveaway gone awry-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
3 people mistakenly eat laundry detergent in Taiwan election giveaway gone awry
View Date:2024-12-23 22:45:54
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — At least three people were hospitalized after mistakenly eating colorful pods of liquid laundry detergent that were distributed as a campaign freebie in Taiwan’s presidential race, according to Taiwanese media reports.
One of the victims said she thought the pods were candy, the Central News Agency reported.
The pods came in partially clear packaging with photos of Nationalist Party candidate Hou Yu-ih and his running mate. Writing on the bag says “Vote for No. 3,” the place on the ballot for the Nationalist ticket in the three-way race, and that each pod can wash up to eight kilograms (18 pounds) of clothes.
A Nationalist campaign office gave out about 460,000 pods. Hung Jung-chang, head of the office in central Taiwan, apologized for the incident, the news agency said.
“In the next wave of house-to-house visits, we will not distribute this kind of campaign material,” Hung said in a video aired on SET iNews. “We will also stress to our villagers through our grassroots organizations that they are laundry balls, not candies.”
Those hospitalized included an 80-year-old man and an 86-year-old woman who were released after having their stomachs flushed, the news agency said. The Nationalist Party is also known by its Chinese name, Kuomintang, or KMT.
Hou is running against William Lai of the governing Democratic Progressive Party and Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party in Saturday’s election. The vote is being closely watched in both Beijing and Washington. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, while the U.S. sells arms to the self-governing island to defend against any attack.
veryGood! (24)
Related
- Why the US celebrates Veterans Day and how the holiday has changed over time
- Two men fought for jobs in a river-town mill. 50 years later, the nation is still divided.
- Ukraine says it sank a Russian warship off Crimea in much-needed victory amid front line losses
- 'The enduring magic of storytime': Ms. Rachel announces new book launching with toy line
- Watch: Military dad's emotional return after a year away
- Detroit woman accused of smuggling meth into Michigan prison, leading to inmate’s fatal overdose
- After Ohio train derailment, tank cars didn’t need to be blown open to release chemical, NTSB says
- Steve Garvey advances in California senate primary: What to know about the former MLB MVP
- Lunchables get early dismissal: Kraft Heinz pulls the iconic snack from school lunches
- New York is sending the National Guard into NYC subways to help fight crime
Ranking
- Driver dies after crashing on hurricane-damaged highway in North Carolina
- Kid Cudi announces INSANO World Tour: Here's how to get tickets
- Indiana lawmakers in standoff on antisemitism bill following changes sought by critics of Israel
- Why Dean Phillips' primary challenge against Biden failed
- A wayward sea turtle wound up in the Netherlands. A rescue brought it thousands of miles back home
- Betty Ford forever postage stamp is unveiled at the White House
- Two men fought for jobs in a river-town mill. 50 years later, the nation is still divided.
- Embattled New York Community Bancorp announces $1B cash infusion
Recommendation
-
What is ‘Doge’? Explaining the meme and cryptocurrency after Elon Musk's appointment to D.O.G.E.
-
Claudia Oshry Shares Side Effects After Going Off Ozempic
-
NYC man who dismembered woman watched Dexter for tips on covering up crime, federal prosecutors say
-
No video voyeurism charge for ousted Florida GOP chair, previously cleared in rape case
-
Jessica Simpson's Husband Eric Johnson Steps Out Ringless Amid Split Speculation
-
Woman and daughter, 11, fatally shot in SUV in Massachusetts; police arrest man, search for another
-
American Express card data exposed in third-party breach
-
3 sizzling hot ETFs that will keep igniting the market