The blast occurred on the 12th floor, where construction was underway, causing damage from the ninth floor upward.

Among the casualties, two of the deceased and five of the injured were identified as tourists from Macau.

The food court on the 12th floor of the Taichung Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store was closed during the construction work, officials noted.

According to the health ministry, one of the injured individuals is currently in intensive care.

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te urged for a swift investigation into the cause of the explosion in a Facebook post.

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