Debris was strewn across the streets in the aftermath of an explosion at a store in Taichung city. -AP
A suspected gas explosion at a department store in the central Taiwanese city of Taichung has killed at least four people and injured 24 others, officials say.
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Thursday's blast occurred on the 12th floor of the Taichung Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store, where construction was taking place, the department said in a statement.
Two dead and five injured were tourists from Macau, it added.
The food court on the 12th floor was closed at the time due to the building work, the department added.
One of the injured was in intensive care in hospital, the health ministry said.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, writing on his Facebook page, called for a speedy investigation into the cause of the blast.
Dozens of firefighters were deployed to the scene.
Parts of the building's exterior were damaged and scattered fragments were strewn on the streets.
Taichung mayor Lu Shiow-yen told reporters at the scene that she felt the shock at her office nearby.
She said the fire bureau would focus on a rescue operation first and officers were checking whether there were other sources of danger.
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