A powerful explosion at a shopping mall in Taiwan killed four people on Thursday, firefighters said, suspecting a gas leak. Twenty-six people were injured in the blast, which occurred at the food court on the 12th floor of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi shopping mall in Taichung City, the National Fire Agency said. The site was closed for construction at the time of the explosion, the agency said.
A victim initially described as “showing no signs of life” was resuscitated and added to the casualty count. Taichung Fire Chief Sun Fu-you told reporters the blast appeared to have been caused by gas, but it was unclear whether it was related to construction. Firefighters urged people to stay away from the disaster site.
Seven people from a family from Macau were hit by falling debris as they were leaving the mall, a hospital official told reporters: two grandparents died; five other family members were injured, including a 2-year-old child who was seriously injured in the head. Verified videos posted on social media showed the moment of the explosion, with large debris falling onto the street and dust billowing from inside the building.
Seven people from a family from Macau were hit by falling debris as they were leaving the mall, a hospital official told reporters: two grandparents died; five other family members were injured, including a 2-year-old child who was seriously injured in the head. Verified videos posted on social media showed the moment of the explosion, with large debris falling onto the street and dust billowing from inside the building.
Nearly 60 fire engines and 136 rescuers
Floors 9 to 12 were affected, the National Fire Agency said, while 200 people were evacuated. Richard Wu, chairman of Shin Kong Mitsukoshi shopping mall chain, said he was “very shocked and very sad . “ “We will do our best to assume all responsibilities for the parties we are responsible for,” he told reporters at the scene.
“I was working in the city hall building around 11:30 a.m. [4:30 a.m. Paris time] and, as it is right next to the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store, I felt a jolt,” said the city’s mayor, Shiow-Yen Lu. “The explosion is very serious and rescue services are in action,” she added.
A total of 56 fire engines and 136 rescue workers, a dog and a drone were mobilized for the search and rescue operation, the agency said.
The mayor said the blast affected a wide area and at least one passerby was among the victims. A video posted on social media showed large pieces of metal and debris scattered on the sidewalk outside the department store and in nearby streets. At least two people can be seen lying on the ground and another who appears to be receiving treatment from rescuers. Another video showed extensive damage inside the department store.
Watch the explosion captured by a car camera in this YouTube video:
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