Gas explosions in Taiwan left 25 dead and 271 wounded

Photo: AFP

At least 25 dead and 271 wounded was the result after several explosions due to underground gas leaks that shook the second largest city in Taiwan, and also launched cars and concrete into the air, officials said on Friday while they initiated the search for the cause.

The series of explosions between midnight Thursday and early Friday hit a densely populated district in which several petrochemical plants operate pipelines along the drains.

Firefighters who were called to the neighborhood to investigate a gas leak were among the victims when the explosions erupted several hours later.

The Economy Minister Chang Chia-juch, appeared before the press and moved that initial inquiries suggest that the explosions occurred from a propane gas leak.

Firefighters have extinguished most of the fire and rescue work continued on Friday morning, the BBC notes.