Gas explosion at Taiwan shopping mall, many casualties

(CLO) A gas explosion occurred at noon on February 13 at a shopping mall in Taichung, Taiwan, killing at least 5 people and injuring 20 others.

According to the Taiwan Fire Department, the explosion occurred on the 12th floor of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi shopping mall, where a food court was under construction.

Images from the scene showed the building's exterior blown off, with windows falling onto the sidewalk and street below, where vehicles were passing by.

The damaged facade of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Taichung, Taiwan, after a gas explosion on February 13. Photo: TVBS

Eyewitness footage showed the street below littered with debris, with two victims lying on the ground. Above the shopping mall, walls were badly damaged, water gushed from burst pipes, while smoke billowed from the 12th floor.

Debris scattered on the street after the explosion. Photo: TVBS

About 235 people were evacuated after the explosion. More than 130 firefighters were at the scene to carry out rescue work. Images from the Taichung Fire Department show the floor where the explosion occurred was heavily damaged while rescuers used flashlights to search for people trapped in the rubble.

Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te has directed relevant agencies, including health authorities, to coordinate resources to assist the victims. He called for an investigation into the cause of the incident as soon as possible and warned people to stay away from the danger zone.

Smoke rises from the building after a gas explosion on the 12th floor. Photo: Threads/@theguo_0708

Taiwan has seen serious gas explosions in the past. In 2014, a series of explosions caused by underground gas leaks in the city of Kaohsiung killed more than 20 people and injured hundreds. The blasts were powerful enough to rip through streets and send vehicles flying, with one vehicle even landing on the roof of a three-story building.

Ngoc Anh (according to TWN, CNN, TVBS)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/no-khi-gas-tai-trung-tam-mua-sam-dai-loan-nhieu-nguoi-thuong-vong-post334401.html