Wednesday, Feb 12, 2025 9:57 PMUpdated Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 1:56 AM
In this photo taken and released by Taichung Fire Bureau, first responders survey the damage in the aftermath of an explosion at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Taichung city in Taiwan on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (Taichung Fire Bureau via AP)
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.
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.
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.
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 )
CORRECTS DAY TO THURSDAY - This image taken from video by Taiwan's TVBS shows the damaged facade of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store after an explosion in Taichung city in Taiwan on Thursday, Feb 13, 2025. (TVBS via AP )
This image taken from video by Taiwan's TVBS shows that a person walks past debris from an explosion at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Taichung city in Taiwan on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (TVBS via AP )
In this photo taken and released by Taichung Fire Bureau, first responders survey the damage in the aftermath of an explosion at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Taichung city in Taiwan on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (Taichung Fire Bureau via AP)
In this image taken from video by Taiwan's TVBS, 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)
This image taken from video by Taiwan's TVBS shows the damaged facade of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store after an explosion in Taichung city in Taiwan on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (TVBS via AP )
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