A gas explosion shook a Taichung shopping mall in Taiwan on Thursday, killing a minimum of five individuals and leaving 20 others injured. The explosion took place at a food court on the 12th floor of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store. This is one of the city’s busiest shopping centers located on Taiwan’s west coast.
A gas leak was confirmed to have caused the explosion that occurred close to construction work currently underway at the mall.
Footage posted by onlookers captures the magnitude of the blast, with panels and debris of the building’s facade blown out, followed by a massive boom. Video footage of the aftermath indicates the street below is covered in debris, with two victims lying on the ground. Emergency responders from the area were swift to arrive at the scene, and rescue efforts are in progress.
🚨 Breaking News from Taichung: A suspected gas explosion at Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store leaves seven injured and five dead. Rescue efforts are underway as authorities secure the area. Stay safe, everyone! 🙏 #Taichung #SafetyFirst pic.twitter.com/FivnRGfjdi
— TVBS World Taiwan (@tvbsworldtaiwan) February 13, 2025
Casualties and Damage
The blast’s effects were catastrophic. The authorities reported at least five dead and 20 injured, of whom several were hospitalized in a critical state. About 235 individuals were evacuated from the premises as a precautionary step. Apart from the loss of human life, the blast inflicted substantial damage on the structure. Scenes of the building’s destruction showed broken windows, shattered walls, and water spurting out from burst pipes.
Videos taken by emergency responders and local news outlets depicted the widespread destruction of the food court section. The ceiling collapsed in some areas and shattered structures hung precariously. Firefighters used flashlights to move through the debris inside the building and look for any survivors.
Rescue Operations Underway
Over 130 firefighters were sent to the site to aid in search and rescue. Emergency responders quickly cordoned off the area and evacuated the wounded to nearby hospitals. The National Fire Agency of Taiwan said that rescue teams are still searching through the rubble for any other survivors or victims.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te took to Facebook to ensure that various government agencies were deployed following the incident. They included the health ministry, which managed medical supplies for the victims. Lai also called on authorities to undertake a deep investigation into what caused the explosion and asked people to keep away from the site as emergency services responded.
