Gas explosion at Taiwan food court kills 4, leaves 26 hospitalized

Two visitors from Macao among dead, tourism office says

This image taken from video by Taiwan's TVBS shows the damaged facade of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store after an explosion in Taichung, Taiwan, on Feb 13. (TVBS via AP)

February 13, 2025 17:29 JST

Updated on February 13, 2025 19:22 JST

TAIPEI (AP) -- A gas explosion at a department store in Taiwan on Thursday killed four people and injured 26, fire authorities said.

The blast occurred at the food court on the 12th floor of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Taichung city, the Taichung Fire Bureau said. The higher floors of the upscale department store were blown out, raining debris on pedestrians below.