July 31

On July 31, 2014, the bustling city of Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan was rocked by a series of catastrophic gas explosions. Residents in the Cianjhen and Lingya districts had reported a strong smell of gas earlier in the evening, but the source was not promptly identified. As emergency personnel responded to the calls, a massive explosion tore through the night, followed by multiple blasts that wreaked havoc on the city’s infrastructure. The disaster resulted in 32 deaths, over 300 injuries, and extensive property damage. The aftermath saw an urgent response from emergency services, a thorough investigation into the cause, and significant policy changes to prevent future incidents. Read more