TAIPEI: An explosion in a Taiwan department store on Thursday (Feb 13) killed one person and left four others “without vital signs”, authorities said, with videos showing large pieces of debris raining down on the street.
Another seven people were injured in the blast in the food court on the 12th floor of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in the central west city of Taichung, the National Fire Agency said.
The area was believed to be closed for construction work at the time of the incident, the agency said.
Video posted on social media and verified by AFP showed the moment of the explosion, with cladding and other debris flying off the building and dust billowing from inside.
“I was working in the city government building around 11.30am and because it’s right next to Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store, I felt a vibration,” Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen told reporters.
“The explosion is very serious and the rescue is ongoing.”
Source: CNA
