A gas explosion occurred on the 13th (local time) in a department store in Taichung, central Taiwan, resulting in four fatalities, according to reports from Taiwanese media including Central News Agency (CNA), as well as foreign news outlets like Reuters and Kyodo News. The department store is operated by Taiwan's Shin Kong Group and Japan's Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings.
According to foreign reports, the accident took place at around 11:33 a.m. on the 12th floor of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Taichung. The explosion, whose cause is unknown, resulted in four deaths. Two of the deceased are reported to be tourists from Macao, while the other two are identified as a department store employee and a construction worker.
It is reported that 26 others sustained serious injuries in the accident.
Rescue operations were concluded around 5 p.m. It was confirmed that there were no more individuals trapped at the scene, according to CNA.
Local fire authorities suspect the incident was caused by a gas explosion, but also noted that dust could be a potential cause of the explosion. Operations at the department store where the accident occurred will be suspended indefinitely until investigation results are released.