Taichung, Taiwan — Thirteen individuals, including a store manager and several contractors, were indicted on Tuesday in connection with a catastrophic gas explosion at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Zhonggang department store earlier this year. The incident, which occurred on February 13, resulted in five fatalities and injured 35 others.
The Taichung District Prosecutors Office reported that the explosion stemmed from a series of negligent actions during renovation work. These included failing to adequately shut off gas supplies, inadequate safety inspections, and operating without the necessary permits. Prosecutors described the event as the most significant industrial disaster in the history of Taiwan’s department stores.
According to the legal documents, the department store allowed contractors to initiate renovation activities on February 9 without securing the required interior renovation permits or developing a construction-period fire safety plan. Prosecutors noted that the store’s manager, identified only by the surname Hsu, neglected to verify the status of main gas shutoff valves and pipelines before work commenced.
Further investigations revealed that a gas leak detection system had been removed prior to the start of renovation, and no substitute safety measures had been implemented at the site. Although Shin Chung Natural Gas Co. had taken some action by sealing off certain gas meters and pipes on February 10, residual gas remained in other lines, which contributed to the disaster.
On the day of the explosion, workers dismantled ceiling structures using an excavator, unprotected by appropriate safety measures, despite the presence of gas pipes in the vicinity. The excavator accidentally ruptured a main gas line, allowing gas to accumulate in the building’s ceiling.
Unbeknownst to the workers, an electrician later employed a powered cable cutter in an unrelated area, creating sparks that ignited the gas and caused the explosion. The 13 individuals, including Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Department Store Co., now face serious charges, including negligent homicide and violations of occupational safety regulations.
While the company has settled with some victims, prosecutors emphasized the gravity of the negligence and suggested that the defendants attempted to evade accountability following the incident. Shin Kong Mitsukoshi stated that it respects the judicial process and will cooperate with ongoing investigations. The Taichung store, which had been temporarily closed for safety upgrades mandated by local authorities, resumed operations on September 27.
The tragic explosion highlights the critical importance of safety protocols in the construction and renovation sectors, urging both contractors and business owners to prioritize the welfare of individuals over expedience.