LOC09:13
06:13 GMT
TOKYO, Aug 1 (KUNA) -- A series of gas explosions in the southern Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung, killing at least 25 people and injuring 267 others, the Taipei-based Central News Agency reported Friday.
Emergency workers continued to search the area devastated by the blasts in Kaohsiung City late Thursday night, the worst accident of its kind in Taiwan's history.
Witnesses said the gas leaks which began at around 9:00 p.m. (1300 GMT) formed white fog while fire was lighted up, leading to big explosions on several streets, according to the report.
The incident is being investigated but Economics Minister Chang Chia-juch said at a news conference in Taipei that the explosion was caused by a propene leak from an underground pipeline. Propene is a byproduct of oil refining and natural gas processing. (end)
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