This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-28594693
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Taiwan gas blasts in Kaohsiung kill at least 22 | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A series of gas explosions in the southern Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung has killed 22 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. | 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. |
| 'A huge cave' | 'A huge cave' |
| "I saw lots of cars and motorcycles with engines all over on the road, and doctors checking if bodies were dead or alive, "eyewitness Chen Guan-yuan, who was at the scene shortly after the blast, told the BBC. | "I saw lots of cars and motorcycles with engines all over on the road, and doctors checking if bodies were dead or alive, "eyewitness Chen Guan-yuan, who was at the scene shortly after the blast, told the BBC. |
| "Because the explosion range is so far so it's really difficult to handle this situation immediately," Mr Chen said, adding that the blasts "caused a long range hole, like a huge cave". | "Because the explosion range is so far so it's really difficult to handle this situation immediately," Mr Chen said, adding that the blasts "caused a long range hole, like a huge cave". |
| Four 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. | 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. |
| Firefighters are still trying to see if people are trapped under the rubble of the explosion, the BBC's Cindy Sui in Taipei reports. | Firefighters are still trying to see if people are trapped under the rubble of the explosion, the BBC's Cindy Sui in Taipei reports. |
| The cause of the blast has not yet been identified but several petrochemical companies have pipelines running along the sewage system in the district, our correspondent adds. | |
| 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." | Kaohsiung mayor Chen Chu wrote on her Facebook page (in Chinese): "Rescue efforts are still underway." |
| She urged everyone to "follow the instructions of rescue teams at the scene, and avoid standing around and watching". | 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". |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
| Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |