Taipei, March 13 (CNA) A gas explosion at a Taichung mall last month is being investigated as a case of negligent homicide, prosecutors said Thursday, while authorities in Macau announced that a toddler injured in the blast had died, bringing the death toll in the incident to five.
In a statement Thursday morning, the Macau Government Information Bureau announced that a 2-year-old girl who suffered severe brain injuries in the Feb. 13 blast had died March 7 at Macau’s Conde S. Januário Hospital.
The girl underwent emergency surgery in Taiwan following the blast and was transported to Macau on a medical charter flight on Feb. 26.
The toddler and her six family members were in Taiwan on vacation, and were walking by the Taichung Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store when a gas explosion ripped through a food court area undergoing renovations on the building’s 12th floor.
The explosion sent debris flying down to the ground level, striking the 2-year-old and killing her grandmother and grandfather. The girl’s mother, father, uncle and great-grandmother were also lightly injured.
Two other people — a 34-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman — also died in the explosion on the 11th and 12th floors, respectively.
Investigation update
Meanwhile, the Taichung District Prosecutors Office said Thursday in an update on its investigation into the case that it had already interviewed 33 witnesses, but had not named any as suspects.
The office said it is waiting for professional investigation units to complete their probe into the blast.
Once the fire investigation report is complete and there is a clear understanding of what caused the explosion, it will be possible to pursue those responsible, it said.
Regarding the news of the toddler’s death, the prosecutors’ office said it would remain in contact with the girl’s family or lawyers regarding the case’s next steps.
The explosion is currently being investigated as a case of negligent homicide, negligence resulting in injuries and public endangerment, prosecutors said.
