A deadly gas explosion ripped through a busy shopping mall in Taiwan on Thursday, claiming the lives of at least four people and injuring dozens more. The blast occurred on the 12th floor of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi store in Taichung City.
Four victims have been confirmed dead, including two tourists from Macao, while 26 others were taken to hospital with injuries. Over 130 firefighters and 50 vehicles rushed to the scene after the explosion at around 11:33 a.m. local time.
The cause of the blast is still under investigation by authorities, who are also checking for other potential sources of danger. Construction work was ongoing on the building’s 12th floor when the incident occurred, causing damage from the ninth floor upwards.
Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen urged residents to avoid passing through the area to facilitate rescue operations, while Taiwanese politician Lai Ching-te expressed hope that the injured would recover soon. The Ministry of Health and Welfare is providing medical assistance to those injured, with five of them also being tourists from Macao.
Source: https://people.com/at-least-four-dead-gas-explosion-tears-through-shopping-mall-taiwan-reports-11679105