At Least 4 Dead After Gas Explosion Tears Through Food Court of Busy Shopping Mall: Reports

Mar. 15, 2025

At least four people have died after a gas explosion tore through a busy shopping mall in Taiwan this week.

The post stated that the “government immediately set up an explosion disaster response.”

According to theAssociated Press, the blast happened at a food court for the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi store.

The news agency added that four people had been killed and a further 26 had been injured, citing the Taichung Fire Bureau.

The National Fire Agency confirmed on Facebook that the injured had been taken to local hospitals for treatment, adding that more 130 firefighters and more than 50 vehicles had been dispatched to the scene.

A photo of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store on the 12th floor in Taichung after the blast.I-HWA CHENG/AFP via Getty

I-HWA CHENG/AFP via Getty

Taiwanese politician Lai Ching-te wrote onFacebookthat the Ministry of Health and Welfare was “actively coordinating medical resources to provide the best medical assistance to the injured, and hope that the injured will recover soon,” per a translated post.

According to theTapei Times, the cause of the explosion is still under investigation.

Construction work was reportedly taking place on the building’s 12th floor, and the blast is thought to have caused damage from the ninth floor upwards,Sky Newsreported, citing the fire department.

Among the victims who died were two people visiting from Macao, the tourism office confirmed to the AP.Reutersadded that five of the injured were also tourists from Macao.

A photo of the shopping mall in Taichung following the gas explosion.I-HWA CHENG/AFP via Getty

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen wrote onFacebookin a translated post, “We’re doing all we can to rescue the disaster. Please give the rescuers better space to rescue.”

“We have activated traffic control on the surrounding roads. All vehicles should avoid passing through the area to facilitate the smooth rescue operation,” she added.

RITCHIE B TONGO/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

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source: people.com