Taiwan authorities have concluded an internal probe into a mistaken missile launch earlier this month.

The local defense department said it found that the blunder was the result of a series of mistakes.

The deadly incident took place on July 1 when a patrol vessel stationed in Kaohsiung accidentally fired an anti-ship missile, hitting a fishing boat and killing the ship's skipper.

The island's defense authority said the missile control panel and the missile launch containers are usually disconnected. A missile cannot be fired until a wire is linked between the panel and the control system.

However, during the incident, officers had linked the wires of all four missiles.

A Petty Officer 2nd Class accidentally fired the missile when he was practicing on the control panel prior to the drill officially starting, and in the absence of superior officers.

It's suggested both the missile operator and his superiors should take responsibility for the mistake.

The defense department has yet to confirm completing its probe into the incident.

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