Explosion at department store in Taiwan kills at least four people

Debris strewn across the streets in the aftermath of an explosion at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Taichung city (TVBS/AP)

A gas explosion at a department store in Taiwan on Thursday killed four people and left eight hospitalised, fire authorities said.

The blast occurred at the food court on the 12th floor of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Taichung city, the Taichung Fire Bureau said.