TAIPEI, Taiwan: A deadly gas explosion tore through a department store food court in Taichung, Taiwan, killing four people and injuring 26, local fire authorities reported.

The blast occurred on the 12th floor of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store, shattering windows and sending debris onto the streets below.

he Taichung Fire Bureau said the explosion caused extensive damage to the upper levels of the upscale shopping center.

Among those killed were two visitors from Macau, confirmed by Macau's Tourism Office. Local media reported that they were part of a seven-member family visiting Taiwan for tourism. The other five were injured and are currently receiving treatment at hospitals in Taichung.

Taichung Vice Mayor Cheng Chao-hsin said part of the store was under renovation, but it remains unclear whether the construction work played a role in the explosion. "If it's found there were illegal actions or parts that violated renovation regulations, it will be dealt with appropriately," Cheng told reporters.

Emergency crews rushed to the scene around 11:30 a.m., deploying dozens of firefighters to search for victims and prevent further hazards. Footage from the site showed broken glass, structural damage, and charred debris scattered across the streets.

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen, who felt the explosion from her nearby office, emphasized that the immediate priority was rescue efforts. "The fire bureau will focus on a rescue operation first, but an investigation is also underway," she said. Officials are also assessing the site to determine if other dangers remain.

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te called for a full investigation into the cause of the explosion and directed all relevant government agencies to take necessary action.