Gas explosion at department store in Taiwan kills at least four people as dozens injured

At least four people have died in a gas explosion at a department store in Taiwan.

Twnety-six others were injured in the blast on the 12th floor of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in the central city of Taichung, the fire department said.

Dozens of firefighters rushed to the scene of the explosion at about 11.30am on Thursday.

The outside of the building was damaged and scattered fragments were strewn on the streets.

The blast on the building’s 12th storey, where construction work was taking place, caused damage from the ninth floor upwards, the fire department said.

Among the dead were two people visiting from Macau, while a third was severely injured, Macao’s Tourism Office confirmed.

They were part of a family of seven who were there as tourists, local media reported.

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Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te said he had asked all relevant government agencies to investigate the cause of the accident.

Speaking from the scene, Taichung mayor Lu Shiow-yen said the shock of the blast was felt at her office nearby.

She said the fire bureau would focus on a rescue operation first but an investigation was also under way.