Sawt Falasteen - Suspected gas explosion kills four at Taiwan department store

Another 24 people were injured and a search was underway for survivors of the blast in the food court on the 12th floor of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in the city of Taichung, the National Fire Agency said.

The floor was believed to be closed for construction work at the time of the incident, the agency said.

Video posted on social media and verified by AFP showed the moment of the explosion, with cladding and other debris flying off the building and dust billowing from inside.

Liao Yu-fu, 26, told AFP he was woken from a nap by the sound of the explosion and thought it was a "plane hitting a house".

"There was a vibration and even my bed was shaking," said Liao, who can see the department store from his home.

"The sound lasted for a long time and I was scared."

A woman, who had been on the sixth floor of the store at the time, said there was a "very loud vibration" and then debris began falling.

"At first, we thought it's an earthquake," the woman told local broadcaster TVBS.

"When I walked down the stairs, there was broken glass on every floor at the elevator entrance. Every floor is affected."

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen told reporters she had been working in the city government building next door when she felt a "vibration" at around 11:30 am.

"The explosion is very serious and the rescue is ongoing," Lu said.

The fire department dispatched 56 vehicles, 136 people, a dog and a drone to carry out search and rescue efforts, the National Fire Agency said.

Taichung Fire Bureau Chief Sun Fu-you told reporters the blast appeared to have been caused by gas, but it was unclear if it was related to the construction work.

The fire agency urged people to stay away from the disaster site.

Lu said the explosion had affected a wide area and at least one passerby was among the victims.

"There are many office buildings and homes in this area and we ask everyone to cooperate with the restrictions for your safety," Lu said.

The force of the blast scattered large pieces of metal, cladding and debris over the footpath outside the department store and nearby streets.

Video posted on social media showed at least two people lying on the ground while another appeared to receive treatment from rescuers.

Another video showed extensive damage near a set of elevators inside the department store.

H.Jarrar--SF-PST