Taiwan’s navy mistakenly launched a supersonic anti-ship missile from a naval base, killing one person and injuring three, officials say.

A patrol boat was undergoing a drill inspection in Kaohsiung when the Hsiung Feng III missile was fired, Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) reported.

It launched in the direction of mainland China, and hit a fishing boat off the Penghu islands, CNA added.

A Taiwanese official said the launch was not “politically motivated”.

It came as China celebrates the 95th anniversary of the formation of the Chinese Communist Party.

China considers Taiwan a breakaway province, to be reunited with the mainland, by force if necessary.