TAINAN (TVBS News) — Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) ordered inspections on Thursday (Feb. 13) of department stores and construction sites to ensure public safety and compliance with regulations following a gas explosion at a department store in Taichung earlier that day.
The explosion rocked the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store (新光三越中港店) in Taichung near noon on Thursday, leaving multiple casualties.
Huang emphasized the importance of safety compliance, stating that the Tainan City Government will conduct safety and fire inspections in local department stores. He remarked that Tainan's Public Works Bureau (工務局) completed the latest public safety inspections before the Lunar New Year and plans to inspect malls undergoing renovations.
The Tainan City Government Fire Bureau (消防局) conducted a project inspection from Nov. 11 to Feb. 4, covering 348 establishments, including department stores and supermarkets. Only one failed the fire safety check, and authorities will continue monitoring until improvements are made.
With 23 large department stores in Tainan, the city government stresses the necessity of applying for permits for interior renovations under building regulations. The recent explosion highlights the critical need for stringent safety measures, prompting officials to ensure all establishments meet safety standards.
