Gas explosion at Taiwan food court kills 4 and injures 26
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[February 13, 2025]
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — A
gas explosion at a department store in Taiwan on Thursday killed four
people and injured 26, fire authorities said.
The blast occurred at the food court on the 12th floor of the Shin Kong
Mitsukoshi department store in Taichung city, the Taichung Fire Bureau
said. The higher floors of the upscale department store were blown out,
raining debris on pedestrians below. |
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This image taken from video by Taiwan's TVBS shows the debris are strewn
across the streets in the aftermath of an explosion at the Shin Kong
Mitsukoshi department store in Taichung city in Taiwan on Thursday, Feb.
13, 2025. (TVBS via AP ) |
Among the dead were two people visiting from Macau, Macao's
Tourism Office confirmed Thursday. Local media reported that
they were part of a family of seven who were there for tourism.
The other five were also injured are now being treated at local
hospitals in Taichung.
Part of the store was under renovation, but it's not clear if
the work was connected to the explosion, Taichung Vice Mayor
Cheng Chao-hsin told reporters at the scene. “If it's found
there were illegal actions or parts that violated renovation
regulations, it will be dealt with appropriately," Cheng said.
Dozens of firefighters were deployed to the scene at about 11:30
a.m. Parts of the building's exterior were damaged and scattered
fragments were strewn on the streets.
Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen told reporters at the scene that she
felt the shock at her office nearby. She said the fire bureau
would focus on a rescue operation first, but an investigation
was also underway and officers were checking whether there were
other sources of danger.
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te said he had asked all relevant
government agencies to investigate the cause of the accident.
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