One person died after Taiwan mistakenly launched a missile towards mainland China.

Taiwan's defense ministry said a missile "mistakenly launched" hit a fishing boat, killing one person and injuring three.

Taiwanese naval warship fires a missile. Illustration photo: AFP.

The Hsiung Feng III missile flew 75 kilometers before hitting a fishing boat near Penghu Island in the Taiwan Strait, according to AFP. Taiwanese defense officials confirmed the incident and said the fishing boat belonged to Taiwan and the captain was killed.

Taiwan has had to hold an emergency meeting about the incident while the military declared it would "not deny responsibility" and is meeting with relatives of the victims to apologize and compensate.

Taiwan's navy said it was unclear why the missile was fired on the day China celebrated the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party.

A spokesman for Taiwan's military agency affirmed that the incident was "not politically motivated" and "not intended to create a crisis".

The "mistaken launch" of a supersonic anti-ship missile from a ship at a naval base in southern Taiwan occurred while leader Tsai Ing-wen, who is also commander-in-chief of the island's armed forces, was abroad.

Taiwan's CNA news agency said the launch occurred at 8:15 a.m. Taiwan military spokesman Chen Zhongji said three people with minor injuries were treated and released from hospital.

According to AFP, the missile was launched towards mainland China. Relations between mainland China and Taiwan have deteriorated since President Tsai Ing-wen took office. Tsai has refused to mention the concept of "one China", meaning Taiwan belongs to China. This angered Beijing, who announced it would cut off communication with Taiwan on June 26.

Taiwanese military officials say there are about 1,500 Chinese missiles aimed at the island. The Hsiung Feng III missile is capable of reaching mainland China.

According to VNE