Taiwan gas explosions rip open roads, kill 24

Published August 1, 2014
A destroyed fire truck is seen overturned in the rubble after massive gas explosions in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. AP
A destroyed fire truck is seen overturned in the rubble after massive gas explosions in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. AP
Smoke and flames from an explosion from an underground gas leak rise above the streets of Kaohsiung, Taiwan. AP
Smoke and flames from an explosion from an underground gas leak rise above the streets of Kaohsiung, Taiwan. AP
A general view shows the damaged road after the gas explosions in southern Kaohsiung, Taiwan. AFP
A general view shows the damaged road after the gas explosions in southern Kaohsiung, Taiwan. AFP
Soldiers use electronic sensors to search for missing persons believed to be buried after massive gas explosions in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. AP
Soldiers use electronic sensors to search for missing persons believed to be buried after massive gas explosions in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. AP
Local residents look at the site after the gas explosions in southern Kaohsiung, Taiwan. AFP
Local residents look at the site after the gas explosions in southern Kaohsiung, Taiwan. AFP
Relatives of victims in a series of gas explosions console each other at a funeral parlor in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. AP
Relatives of victims in a series of gas explosions console each other at a funeral parlor in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. AP
A relative, right, of a victim in the multiple explosions from an underground gas leak is consoled at a funeral parlor in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. AP
A relative, right, of a victim in the multiple explosions from an underground gas leak is consoled at a funeral parlor in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. AP
Soldiers use electronic sensors to search for missing persons believed to be buried after massive gas explosions in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. AP
Soldiers use electronic sensors to search for missing persons believed to be buried after massive gas explosions in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. AP
Vehicles are left lie in a destroyed street as part of the street is burning with flame following multiple explosions from an underground gas leak in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. AP
Vehicles are left lie in a destroyed street as part of the street is burning with flame following multiple explosions from an underground gas leak in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. AP
An emergency rescue team searches for missing persons as damaged vehicles lie after massive gas explosions in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. AP
An emergency rescue team searches for missing persons as damaged vehicles lie after massive gas explosions in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. AP
A local resident rides past the explosion site in southern Kaohsiung, Taiwan. AFP
A local resident rides past the explosion site in southern Kaohsiung, Taiwan. AFP
A rooftop view shows a road after an explosion in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan. REUTERS
A rooftop view shows a road after an explosion in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan. REUTERS
An aerial view shows the damage from a massive gas explosion in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. AP
An aerial view shows the damage from a massive gas explosion in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. AP
are seen at the explosion site in southern Kaohsiung, Taiwan. AFP
are seen at the explosion site in southern Kaohsiung, Taiwan. AFP
Vehicles are left lie in a destroyed street following multiple explosions from an underground gas leak in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. AP
Vehicles are left lie in a destroyed street following multiple explosions from an underground gas leak in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. AP

A series of powerful gas blasts killed at least 24 people and injured 271 and sent flames shooting 15 storeys into the air, a government agency said in the southern Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung, overturning cars and ripping open roads, officials said. A massive gas leakage early Friday caused five explosions.

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