About 200 pilgrims were climbing the platform in the Lingyen Mountain Temple in the central Nantou County when it came crashing down at 05:45, rescue official Cheng Lin-sheng told AFP.

The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals and at least four people were in critical condition, he said.

Television reports said about 2 000 pilgrims were lining up to climb the platform for the huge group photo when the stand collapsed.