5 Killed, 26 Seriously Injured As Deadly Gas Explosion Wreaks Havoc In Taichung Mall News24 –

Taiwan: At least five people were killed and 26 others injured in suspected gas explosion at a department store in Taiwan’s Taichung city on Thursday. The explosion occurred on the 12th floor of the shopping mall, where construction work was underway, causing damage to spread from the 9th floor upwards. The officials said that the fire department received the information about explosion at 11:33 am. 136 personnel were personnel were rushed to the spot.

President Lai Ching-te of Taiwan wrote on his Facebook page about the incident. He said, “Earlier, a gas explosion occurred at a department store in Taichung. Currently, Premier Su Tseng-chang has instructed the Ministry of the Interior’s Fire Department to quickly mobilize rescue teams. Additionally, the Ministry of Health and Welfare is actively coordinating medical resources to provide the best care for the injured, hoping for their swift recovery. I ask all responding personnel to be mindful of their safety and request that relevant agencies promptly clarify the cause of the incident. I also remind everyone not to approach the accident site to avoid hindering rescue efforts and to ensure personal safety. I hope the ongoing rescue operations proceed smoothly and safely.”