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Gas explosions kill 15, injure 233 in Taiwan

AT least 15 people were confirmed dead in a series of gas explosions in Kaohsiung city of China's Taiwan, the mayor said Friday.

"The gas explosions on Thursday night killed 15 people and injured 233 others," Kaohsiung's mayor Chen Chu told reporters.

Taiwan's administrative chief Jiang Yi-huah said at least five explosions shook Kaohsiung. The Taiwan Fire Agency said five firefighters were among the dead.

The authorities received calls from residents in Kaohsiung's Cianjhen district about suspected gas leaks late Thursday, which triggered a series of explosions that were powerful enough to rip open roads and overturn cars.

"The local fire department received calls of gas leaks late Thursday and then there was a series of blasts around midnight affecting a area of two to three square kilometres," the fire agency said in a statement.

Video from Taiwan's broadcaster ETTV showed a large fire burning the middle of a street, with smoke rising into the night sky.

A motorcycle and other debris were scattered across the middle of the roadway.

Mobile phone video captured the sound of a secondary explosion as flames leapt at least 30 feet (9 meters) into the air.

The force of the initial blast also felled trees lining the street. Local TVBS showed cars flipped over and shattered windows.

Power was cut off in the area, making it difficult for firefighters to search for others who might be buried in rubble.




 

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