A suspected gas explosion at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Taichung, Taiwan has killed at least four people and injured at least six on Thursday, the fire department said.
Taichung Fire Bureau received a report of the blast at 11.33am in Xitun District. Initial investigations indicate that the explosion occurred as a restaurant was changing a gas canister on the 12th floor, where construction was taking place.
Video posted on social media showed the moment of the explosion, with cladding and other debris flying off the building and dust raining down on the street.
A family of seven from Macau was injured in the accident, with two of them later pronounced dead.
The cause of the explosion is still under investigation. Motorists are advised to avoid the area to facilitate rescue services.
"I was working in the city government building around 11:30 am and because it's right next to Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store, I felt a vibration," Lu told AFP.
"The explosion is very serious and the rescue is ongoing."
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.
(Staff reporter, Reuters, AFP, AP, Taipei Times and CNA)
(Updated at 1.59pm)
