On February 13, 2025, a gas explosion suspected to originate from ongoing renovation work caused havoc in the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Taichung City, Taiwan. The disaster occurred at around 11:33 a.m. local time on the 12th floor of the 14-story building, resulting in four fatalities and 38 injuries.

The victims included two tourists from Macau, a female employee of the department store, and a construction worker involved in the refurbishment work. Five more Macau visitors were among the injured, as per official reports. Approximately 200 individuals were promptly evacuated from the building following the explosion.

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen, who experienced the explosion’s impact from her nearby office, appealed to the media, “We’re doing all we can to rescue the disaster. Please give the rescuers better space to rescue.”

Emergency services responded promptly, with more than 130 firefighters and 50 vehicles dispatched to the location. A total of 136 personnel participated in search and rescue operations, using specialized units with dogs and drones for a comprehensive building inspection.

Witnesses reported the force of the explosion ejected four individuals out of the 12th-floor windows. The impact caused significant damage from the ninth floor upwards, with debris strewn across neighboring streets and smoke emanating from the building. Window panels and other exterior building materials showered the sidewalks and roads below.

Shin Kong Mitsukoshi’s president, Richard Wu, was shocked by the incident, stating, “The company will take responsibility for its part.”

Early investigations indicate the cause might be connected to the renovation work in the food court. The Taipei Times reported that a worker was seen using a grinder to cut a gas pipeline before the explosion. The store had requested renovations but did not obtain the necessary approvals or inform the fire department. Furthermore, safety equipment was deactivated during the construction work.

Among the injured was a two-year-old girl from Macau, who sustained significant injuries. Local authorities are providing assistance to all the victims and their families.

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te stated, “The Ministry of Health and Welfare was actively coordinating medical resources to provide the best medical assistance to the injured.”

The Taichung city government has instructed the department store, a joint venture of Taiwan’s Shin Kong Group and Japan’s Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd., to suspend operations until safety is assured. Multiple government agencies are participating in the ongoing investigation into the precise cause of the explosion.

The explosion occurred less than two months after a fatal fire at a Taichung food-processing plant, which investigators ascertained was sparked by welding sparks igniting paint and insulation materials.