26 dead, 267 hurt as gas blasts rip Kaohsiung

TAIPEI — A series of explosions probably caused by a gas leak killed 26 people and injured 267 in Taiwan’s port city of Kaohsiung yesterday, sending flames shooting 15 storeys into the air, setting ablaze entire blocks and reducing small shops to rubble.

The midnight explosion and blaze gutted a densely populated industrial district packed with shops and apartment buildings.

Four firefighters were among the dead. The death toll may rise, with two people still missing and many of the injured receiving emergency treatment. The blasts were probably the result of a petrochemical leak that filled sewer lines with explosive gas, said officials.

President Ma Ying-jeou pledged tough measures to prevent any recurrence of the incident.“We will make further arrangements and inspections to avoid this kind of disaster again,” he said.

The tragedy was Taiwan’s second in as many weeks after the crash of a TransAsia Airways jet on the island of Penghu on July 23 that killed 48 people and injured 10.

The blast sent flames racing through the district and smoke billowing high into the air. Flames shot up from sewers and gutters, while water from burst mains gushed through the streets.

“The house started shaking and I thought it was an earthquake. But when I opened the door, I saw smoke all over and smelled gas,’’ said Chen Qing-tao, who lives 10 buildings from the main explosion site.

Economic Minister Chang Chia-juch said initial assessments suggested the blast was caused by a leak of propene, a petrochemical used in the production of plastics.

“The reasons and source of the gas leaks will be investigated by the relevant agencies,” he said.

Many of the dead and injured had been outdoors, near a night market, and were hit by flying rubble or cars, said a police officer.

Resident Chang Bi-chu, 63, described seeing dead bodies along the road. “I felt really bad. After all, there was the air crash last week.”

Power supply to 12,000 people in the area was severed and 23,600 lost gas service. More than 1,100 people were evacuated and the worst-affected areas were sealed off.

Backhoes pulled fire trucks and vehicles from the rubble, while paramedics combed the neighbourhood for survivors. Rescuers expected to find few, if any, people in the rubble as no buildings collapsed.

Much of the drama was captured on CCTV and mobile phones. A video showed an explosion rippling through the floor of a parking area, hurling debris through the air.

By last night, the 12,000 people who had fled in fear of more explosions had returned home after the authorities said there was no more risk of blasts like those that ripped apart streets. Clean-up was under way in the more than 2 sq km area.

Chinese President Xi Jinping yesterday offered his condolences. He said he was deeply concerned after learning of the heavy casualties, reported Xinhua. AGENCIES