Taipei, Feb. 13 (CNA) Four people have been confirmed dead, and 20 others have been injured following a gas explosion in a Taichung mall on Thursday, authorities confirmed.
Also read: 2 members of Macau family dead in Taichung mall explosion
Operations have been suspended at the suspected explosion site -- the food court on the 12th floor of the Taichung Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store, where reconstruction work had been taking place.
It is still unclear whether that work was the cause of the incident, the National Fire Agency (NFA) said.
Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) said the city has set up an emergency response center with personnel from various departments including the Fire Bureau and Police Department to coordinate the rescue efforts.
She also urged the public to comply with traffic restrictions for safety reasons.
The NFA has deployed an emergency response team to assist in rescue operations. NFA Director-General Hsiao Huan-chang (蕭煥章) is leading the effort, the agency said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the Taichung District Prosecutors Office said that they have dispatched personnel to the site to investigate what caused the incident.
- Society
CWA issues cold surge warnings as continental air mass intensifies
03/16/2025 11:33 AM - Politics
DPP dedicates bulk of budget-cut event to attacking opposition
03/15/2025 10:45 PM - Politics
Transport ministry confirms Taiwan Railway chair has resigned
03/15/2025 09:27 PM - Society
- Society
Weather in northern Taiwan forecast to turn chilly Sunday
03/15/2025 08:15 PM