Taichung: A powerful gas explosion tore through a shopping mall in Taichung, Taiwan, killing at least five people on Thursday.
Authorities confirmed that multiple others were injured in the blast, which occurred on the 12th floor of the building.
Dramatic footage captured the moment debris and large panels of the building’s exterior were blown out.
Videos showed thick smoke rising as window panels crashed onto roads, where cars stood in traffic.
Bystander footage revealed two victims lying on the floor among scattered debris.
Explosion Site
The explosion happened in a food court under construction inside the mall, Taiwan’s National Fire Agency reported.
Firefighters discovered the floor where the blast occurred had been mostly reduced to rubble.
Broken structures and twisted metal dangled from the ceiling, making navigation through the debris challenging.
More than 130 firefighters were deployed to the site to conduct rescue and recovery operations.
Emergency teams worked through the wreckage with flashlights to locate potential survivors.
Casualties and Evacuations
Authorities confirmed at least five fatalities and over 20 injuries due to the explosion.
Approximately 235 people were safely evacuated from the building and nearby areas.
Local media footage showed ambulances and emergency workers securing the site with caution tape.
Rescue teams rushed injured victims to hospitals, while others received treatment at the scene.
Water sprayed from broken pipes, and walls inside the building were visibly damaged.
Government Response
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te assured the public that government agencies were responding to the crisis.
In a Facebook statement, he announced that health authorities were mobilized to assist with medical resources.
Lai urged investigators to determine the cause of the explosion as quickly as possible.
He also advised the public to avoid the area for safety reasons.
Officials have not yet confirmed what triggered the explosion, but gas leaks are suspected.
Previous Incidents
Taiwan has experienced deadly gas explosions before, with past incidents causing significant damage.
In 2014, underground gas leaks caused multiple explosions in Kaohsiung, killing over two dozen people.
The blasts in Kaohsiung tore deep trenches through main roads, leaving devastation across the city.
Vehicles were overturned, and one car was found on the roof of a three-story building.
Authorities are investigating whether similar factors contributed to the Taichung explosion.
