On February 13, 2025, tragedy struck at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Taichung, Taiwan, when a suspected gas explosion rocked the building, resulting in four deaths and several injuries, some critically. Just after 11:20 AM, as the store was opening for the day, chaos erupted, leading to extensive damage and panic among shoppers.
Witnesses reported hearing multiple explosions from the 11th and 12th floors, where renovations were taking place. The explosion unleashed shattered glass and debris down onto the busy streets below, injuring many and claiming the lives of two members from a family visiting from Macau.
Initially, four fatalities were reported, along with six people suffering from life-threatening injuries. Among the deceased was a 58-year-old woman who succumbed to her injuries after being transported to the hospital. The explosion primarily affected the food court area on the 12th floor, with reports indicating significant structural damage throughout the upper floors.
Footage captured by bystanders shows shocking scenes: vast plumes of smoke billowing out of broken windows and items cascading to the ground as terrified shoppers fled the scene. One eyewitness who was on the 14th floor at the time stated, “I thought it was just movie special effects—then everything shook violently, and we all knew it was real.”
The Taichung emergency services responded quickly, deploying 56 vehicles and over 130 personnel to the scene to manage the aftermath and conduct search and rescue operations. By 2:15 PM, the Taichung Fire Bureau confirmed the tragic figures—among them, victims included children and elderly individuals.
Notably, the Macau family, consisting of seven members visiting Taiwan for leisure, was caught off-guard when debris rained down. The grandfather tragically died on-site, and the family’s two-year-old granddaughter required urgent medical attention after suffering severe head injuries, necessitating immediate hospitalization. The family was reportedly on their way to the food court when the explosion occurred, leading to grave consequences. Taichung Mayor Lu Shiu-yen expressed deep sorrow over the loss and promised thorough investigations.
Further investigation revealed early speculations implicate construction activities—sources hinting at possible gas leaks originating from the renovation work. The affected floors were under renovation, but authorities have yet to confirm the definitive cause of the explosion. Local residents and shoppers are urging regulators to reexamine safety protocols, especially around commercial constructions, to prevent such devastating incidents from reoccurring.
Eyewitness accounts reflecting the chaos noted, “It looked like rain, but it was just glass falling from above.” Videos circulated on social media highlighted the frantic escapes from the rapidly disintegrated building, with crowds advising others to avoid the elevators, seeking refuge instead via stairwells.
A local hospital reported treating multiple occupants of the department store, with confirmation of at least three adults from the Macau family suffering severe injuries, alongside various other bystanders. The hospital director, Zhou Siyuan, confirmed, “The most severe injuries were from the Macau family—a reminder of how fragile safety can be during such public engagements.”
The impact of this disaster extends beyond physical injuries; it instigates conversations around public safety, emergency preparedness, and accountability within construction practices. During this difficult time, thoughts and prayers are extended to the victims and their families affected by this harrowing event.
The Taichung authorities continue to work diligently on identifying the root causes and implementing measures to improve the safety of public spaces as they rebuild trust within the community. Official inquiries are underway, and responses to the incident will determine future legislative and safety measures.