7-member family from Macau affected
A gas explosion occurred at a department store in Taichung City, China’s Taiwan region, at about 11:30 a.m. yesterday, resulting in at least four deaths and 30 injuries – and the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) later released a statement confirming that two local residents were killed, and one seriously injured in the blast.
A total of five local residents affected by the incident were injured, including a two-year-old girl, according to MGTO. Consequently, two Macau residents were killed and five were injured by falling debris.
The explosion on the department store’s 12th floor where a foodcourt undergoing renovations is located, according to footage released by the island’s semi-official Central News Agency (CNA), which showed that the explosion damaged the building’s façade and windows. More than 200 people were evacuated from the store and six from lifts. The fire department sent 56 vehicles, 136 people, a dog and a drone to carry out search and rescue operations.
Macau family of 4 generations
As quoted by Taiwan media, Taichung City Mayor Lu Shiow-yen said that among the dead and injured were seven tourists – a family of four generations from Macau, who were walking in front of the department store and were about to go to a neighbouring department store when the explosion occurred. She added that the grandfather died instantly, the grandmother died after the hospital’s treatment to save her life had failed, while the two-year-old girl, whose cardiopulmonary function had ceased before arriving at the hospital, was undergoing endotracheal intubation*. The grandparents were reportedly hit by falling objects. Lu, who visited the injured in the hospital, also told reporters that the great-grandmother sustained a fracture, while other family members in their twenties and thirties suffered minor injuries.
Cheng Ching Hospital’s casualty list showed that of the seven Macau victims, a 58-year-old woman surnamed Lou was pronounced dead, a 24-year-old man surnamed Tang suffered a craniofacial laceration, while a 30-year-old man surnamed Tang and a 31-year-old woman surnamed Ip suffered abrasions on their arms and legs. The girl, who sustained severe head trauma and lung contusions, has been transferred to the China Medical University Hospital for follow-up treatment. According to a spokesperson for the Taiwan authorities’ Mainland Affairs Council, the girl has meanwhile “successfully” undergone surgery. The spokesperson also said that other members of the family would arrive in Taiwan from Macau today.
The MGTO statement said it had been notified yesterday of a suspected gas explosion in a department store in Taichung, where two Macau residents died and one sustained serious injuries, but the exact circumstances, the statement added, were still “subject to further verification”.
Sam, MGTO convey condolences
In the statement, MGTO expressed “great concern” over the tragedy and extended its “deepest” condolences and sympathies to the family members of the victims, noting that “we are currently in touch with the family members to provide appropriate assistance”.
Moreover, the Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS) said in a statement that Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai was “highly concerned” about the gas explosion at the department store in Taichung, also conveying his heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the family members of the local victims, while instructing Macau’s relevant public entities to render full assistance to the victims and their family members.
The MGTO statement noted that upon having been notified of the blast, MGTO immediately contacted the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) and the travel trade to enquire about and follow up on the incident, and the latter confirmed that no local tour groups were currently in Taichung.
According to a separate MGTO statement yesterday evening, a MGTO crisis response team has been sent to Taichung in conjunction with the Macau Red Cross to provide the victims with appropriate assistance.
Macau residents who need assistance may contact the MGTO 24-hour hotline on 2833 3000.
According to Taiwan media reports, the incident was caused by an explosion during renovations on the 11th and 12th floors, suspected to have been caused by an inadvertent leakage of gas during the replacement of an LPG tank. However, as reported by CNA, Taichung Deputy Mayor Cheng Chao-hsin said that the authorities were still in the initial phase of the rescue operation, adding that an official report and a complete list of injuries will be provided only after the investigation has been concluded, including assessing the legal implications, identifying the source of the blast, determining the cause of the explosion, and collaborating with relevant city government entities.
He also described the incident as a major accident, adding that some debris had been found inside the department store, and that structural and civil engineers had already entered the site for a structural inspection.
According to CNA, Taichung Fire Bureau Chief Sun Fu-you said that according to preliminary investigations no explosive material had been found at the scene, nor had there been a dust explosion, pointing out that workers at the scene had told prosecutors that they had smelt gas prior to the blast, and that further investigations were needed to find out where the odour had come from. He clarified that two of the four deceased were found on the 11th and 12th floors, while the other two were found on the pavement in front of the building.
The city has set up a task force to continue the investigations and aftercare work. The department store concerned was ordered to suspend business and could resume business only after confirming that safety was not at risk.
Shin Kong Mitsukoshi President Richard Wu Xin-yang said, according to Taiwan media reports, that his company would assume responsibility. He also reportedly offered to pay NT$1 million (245,000 patacas) for each victim killed in the wake of the blast. Those injured were also offered a certain amount of money.
Shin Kong Mitsukoshi (SKM – 新光三越百貨) is a Taiwanese brand of high-end department stores operating throughout Taiwan, with concessions also located in mainland China. The brand is a joint venture of the Taiwanese Shin Kong Group and Japanese Mitsukoshi.
* Endotracheal intubation is a medical procedure used to insert a tube into the trachea (windpipe) to maintain an open airway, facilitate ventilation, and ensure adequate oxygenation. – Poe
A couple walk past debris following yesterday’s explosion at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Department Store in Taichung, central Taiwan. – AFP
This picture taken and released by the Taichung Fire Department via Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) shows the scene after yesterday’s explosion at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Department Store in Taichung. – AFP
This photo shows the damage following yesterday’s explosion on the 12th floor of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Department Store in Taichung. – AFP
