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Ada Lee

Rescue workers and residents at a blast-hit site in Kaohsiung were evacuated last night after the detection of "suspicious gas" raised fears of further explosions.
The evacuation took place after a gas company revealed to Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu that about 260 tonnes of gas remained in pipelines under Kaisyuen Third Road - one of the areas hit by gas explosions last week that killed at least 28 people.
A fireman said work would not resume until the source of the gas was known.
Video: Rescue continues after deadly gas explosions in Taiwan's Kaohsiung

The Ministry of Economic Affairs said all gas would be disposed of as early as this afternoon, and it would meet experts and all 40 gas companies in the city to establish the location of all underground pipelines.
Thirty tonnes of propylene were disposed of by China Petrochemical Development Corporation, the head of Kaohsiung's Environmental Protection Bureau, Chen Chin-der, said.
At least 28 people died and more than 300 were injured in a series of underground explosions shortly before midnight on Thursday. Investigators believe the pipeline belonged to LCY Chemical, and that it had registered a drop in pressure. The city government said a patch used to mend the pipeline might be to blame.
Almost 33,000 households have been affected. Residents at a temporary shelter at Chung-cheng Industrial High School were told to move out in the afternoon. Social Affairs Bureau deputy chief Yeh Yu-ju said they could go home or be resettled at hotels or flats. The government would cover the expenses.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs said power for the district and water supply in some areas could resume in five days.
Li Chun-guei, a neighbourhood ward chief whose husband died in the blast, accused the government of reacting too slowly after residents first complained of smelling gas.
Li's husband, Chen Jin-fa, arrived at the scene hours before the explosions to help distribute water to firemen who had responded to the complaints.
"He called some government departments telling them to deal with the smell of gas," Li said. "But they passed the problem to each other. If they had switched off the gas earlier, it would not have happened."


Roads evacuated amid fears of further gas blasts in Kaohsiung

The explosions tore through the city's roads. Photo: CNA

Taiwan President orders island-wide pipeline check after deadly Kaohsiung explosions

Ma Ying-jeou inspects the site of the disaster. Photo: AFP

Workers inspect a damaged store. Photo: CNA

Relatives pay respect to the dead. Photo: Ada Lee

Workers inspect a hole. Photo: Ada Lee

The search for survivors, including two firefighters, continues on Saturday. Photo: Ada Lee


Rubble separates the sides of the roads following the gas blast. Photo: Ada Lee

Charred pieces of firefighters’ uniforms were found at the scene on Saturday as two officers remained missing. Photo: Ada Lee

Relatives makes offerings and burn joss sticks at the scene. Photo: Ada Lee

Volunteers distribute food, water and daily necessities to displaced residents. Photo: Ada Lee

Grief and shock after huge gas explosions make Taiwan city look like a war zone

An aerial view shows the extent of the damage. Photo: AP

An aerial view shows the extent of the damage. Photos: AP, Reuters

Rescue personnel survey the wreckage along a devastated stretch of street. Photo: Reuters

A resident helps one of the injured. 

Kaohsiung in flames. Photo: AP

Bodies were lined up.

Kaohsiung residents outraged at ‘slow response’ to gas leaks

Relatives grieve as the rescue operation continues. Photo: Reuters

Relatives grieve as the rescue operation continues.Photo: Reuters

The blasts created huge trenches across an area of 2 sq km.Photo: AP

The blasts created huge trenches across an area of 2 sq km. Photo: AP

News

China

Rescue workers and residents at a blast-hit site in Kaohsiung were evacuated last night after the detection of "suspicious gas" raised fears of further explosions.
