Among the deceased were two tourists from Macau, while a third visitor sustained severe injuries, as confirmed by Macau’s Tourism Office. Local media reported that the affected Macau nationals were part of a seven-member family on a tourism visit to Taiwan.
The explosion took place at approximately 11:30 a.m., prompting the immediate deployment of dozens of firefighters to the scene to contain the situation. Streets surrounding the department store were littered with debris and shattered glass, with emergency responders working to clear the area and assess further risks.
Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen stated that she personally felt the shock from her office nearby and assured that the primary focus was on rescue operations while an investigation was initiated. Firefighters and safety inspectors are assessing whether additional hazards remain within the building to prevent further incidents.
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te has directed all relevant government agencies to launch a thorough investigation to determine the precise cause of the explosion. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether a gas leak or another underlying issue was responsible for the deadly blast.
The incident has raised concerns over safety regulations in public commercial spaces, with officials vowing to conduct rigorous inspections in the coming days.
