Gas company contests reports on Taiwan store explosion

TAICHUNG (TVBS News) — Shin Chung Natural Gas Co. (欣中天然氣公司) vehemently contested media reports on Wednesday (April 9) regarding the deadly February gas explosion at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Department Store (新光三越百貨) in Taichung, central Taiwan. Company officials declared that numerous published details contained inaccuracies while expressing strong confidence that the ongoing prosecutorial investigation would vindicate their position.

The catastrophic explosion at the upscale retail complex on Feb. 13 claimed five lives, triggering a comprehensive investigation that remains active. Shin Kong Mitsukoshi released a formal statement earlier that day reaffirming its full cooperation with authorities, including prosecutors, police, and fire department officials. The retail giant underscored its determination to uncover the complete truth behind the deadly incident and pledged to assume appropriate responsibility.

Multiple news outlets have reported that gas leak detection equipment had been removed and the main gas switch remained in the open position, allegations that have intensified public scrutiny over safety measures at the facility. Cheng Hung-chia (陳鴻嘉), deputy general manager of the gas company, emphasized that the investigation continues to be ongoing while criticizing what he characterized as biased media coverage. According to the Central News Agency (中央社), Taiwan's national news service, Cheng expressed confidence that investigators would soon reveal findings that would clarify the situation.

The Taichung City Fire Bureau (台中市消防局), the local fire safety authority, previously confirmed that crucial fire safety equipment, including gas leak detectors on the 12th floor, had been deactivated prior to the explosion. Taichung Fire Bureau Chief Sun Fu-yu (孫福佑) informed the city council that officials had imposed a NT$600,000 (approximately US$18,182) fine on the department store for violating fire safety regulations, specifically citing the deactivation of critical gas and fire sensors on both the 11th and 12th floors.

The devastating blast claimed the lives of three generations of a single family from Macau, a special administrative region of China. Among the victims were the grandparents and their 2-year-old granddaughter, who initially survived with critical injuries but succumbed to her wounds on March 7 after being airlifted back to Macau on Feb. 26, according to authorities.