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| Taiwan gas blasts in Kaohsiung kill at least 20 | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A series of gas explosions in the southern Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung has killed 20 people and injured about 270, officials say. | |
| The exact cause of the gas leaks is not clear, but reports say the blasts were caused by ruptured pipelines. | The exact cause of the gas leaks is not clear, but reports say the blasts were caused by ruptured pipelines. |
| Images from the scene show major fires, cars overturned and significant damage to roads and buildings. | |
| Dozens of those injured by the blasts were taken to hospitals for treatment, Taiwan's fire agency said. | Dozens of those injured by the blasts were taken to hospitals for treatment, Taiwan's fire agency said. |
| "The local fire department received calls of gas leaks late Thursday and then there was a series of blasts around midnight affecting an area of two to three sq km [one sq mile]," the National Fire Agency added in a statement. | "The local fire department received calls of gas leaks late Thursday and then there was a series of blasts around midnight affecting an area of two to three sq km [one sq mile]," the National Fire Agency added in a statement. |
| Five firefighters are said to be among the dead. | Five firefighters are said to be among the dead. |
| People in the nearby area have been evacuated to schools, local officials say. | People in the nearby area have been evacuated to schools, local officials say. |
| Despite firefighting efforts, fires were still out of control in two streets at 05:00 local time (21:00 GMT), five hours after the blasts, local media reported. | |
| The multiple explosions were sparked by gas leaks in the sewage system of Kaohsiung's Cianjhen District, Premier Jiang Yi-huah said, according to Taiwanese news agency CNA. | The multiple explosions were sparked by gas leaks in the sewage system of Kaohsiung's Cianjhen District, Premier Jiang Yi-huah said, according to Taiwanese news agency CNA. |
| Hundreds of soldiers, and firefighters from neighbouring Tainan City and Pingtung County, had been deployed to assist rescue efforts, Mr Jiang added. | Hundreds of soldiers, and firefighters from neighbouring Tainan City and Pingtung County, had been deployed to assist rescue efforts, Mr Jiang added. |
| People have been ordered to stay home from school and work in Kaohsiung's Cianjhen and Lingya districts on Friday, local media reported. | People have been ordered to stay home from school and work in Kaohsiung's Cianjhen and Lingya districts on Friday, local media reported. |
| Kaohsiung mayor Chen Chu wrote on her Facebook page (in Chinese): "Rescue efforts are still underway," and she urged everyone to "follow the instructions of rescue teams at the scene, and avoid standing around and watching". | Kaohsiung mayor Chen Chu wrote on her Facebook page (in Chinese): "Rescue efforts are still underway," and she urged everyone to "follow the instructions of rescue teams at the scene, and avoid standing around and watching". |
| "The local government has already requested [gas suppliers] CPC and Hsin Kao Gas cut off the gas supply," she added, urging residents to stay calm. | "The local government has already requested [gas suppliers] CPC and Hsin Kao Gas cut off the gas supply," she added, urging residents to stay calm. |
| The local government has set up an emergency response centre. | The local government has set up an emergency response centre. |
| Chinese news agency Xinhua reported that before the explosion, smoke with a "gas-like smell" came out of drains. | Chinese news agency Xinhua reported that before the explosion, smoke with a "gas-like smell" came out of drains. |
| Are you in Kaohsiung? You can send us your experiences by emailing Haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line "Kaohsiung". | Are you in Kaohsiung? You can send us your experiences by emailing Haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line "Kaohsiung". |
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