A gas explosion at a Taichung City department store claimed four lives and left 26 injured, according to the Taichung Fire Bureau. The blast, which occurred at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store’s 12th-floor food court, caused significant damage to the upper floors, sending debris onto the streets below.
Among the fatalities were two Macau residents, confirmed by Macao’s Tourism Office; they were reportedly part of a family of seven on a sightseeing trip. The remaining five family members sustained injuries and are receiving medical care in Taichung hospitals.
While part of the store was undergoing renovations, the connection to the explosion remains undetermined, stated Taichung Vice Mayor Cheng Chao-hsin. He added that any violations of renovation regulations will face appropriate action.
Firefighters responded to the scene around 11:30 a.m., encountering substantial exterior damage and debris scattered across the surrounding area.
Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen, who reported feeling the blast at her nearby office, confirmed that rescue efforts are the immediate priority, alongside an ongoing investigation into the incident and a safety assessment of the building.
President Lai Ching-te has directed relevant government agencies to launch a full investigation into the cause of the explosion.