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Tawain gas explosions: 15 dead and 228 injured Tawain gas explosions: 15 dead and 228 injured
(35 minutes later)
A series of gas explosions on the streets of a southern Taiwanese city killed 15 people and injured 228 others late Thursday night, authorities said. 15 people have been killed and 228 others injured following a series of gas explosions which shook the streets of a city in southern Taiwan.
Taiwan's Premier Jiang Yi-huah said at least five explosions shook Kaohsiung. The National Fire Agency said five firefighters were among the dead. At least five explosions took place in the city of Kaohsiung early on Friday morning, Taiwan's Premier Jiang Yi-huah said.
Video from Taiwanese broadcaster ETTV showed a large fire burning the middle of a street, with smoke rising into the night sky. Five firefighters were killed in the blasts thought to have been caused by ruptured gas pipelines, the National Fire Agency said.
A motorcycle and other debris were scattered across the middle of the roadway. It added that five firefighters were among the dead.
"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 fire agency added in a statement according to BBC News.
Firefighters' attempts to find people buried in the rubble were hindered when electricity was cut off in the area.
Footage from the scene shot by the Taiwanese broadcaster ETTV shows plumes of smoke rising from a large fire burning in the middle of a street, where a motorcycle and other debris have been flung across the middle.
Mobile phone video captured the sound of a secondary explosion as flames leapt at least 30 feet (9 meters) into the air.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.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. Prior to the incident, smoke with a "gas-like smell" was seen rising from drains in the streets, Formosa TV and the China Times newspaper said.
AP Additional reporting by AP