TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A toddler injured in an explosion at the Taichung Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in February has passed away.
Although the 2-year-old girl was safely transported to Macau for continued treatment, she died on March 7 at the Condo S. Januario Hospital in Macau. On March 13, the family gave permission for the hospital to report her passing, reported CNA.
The child was visiting with her family from Macau when the explosion occurred in Taichung on Feb. 13. Her grandparents died after being struck by debris, and she suffered a severe brain injury.
The girl initially received medical treatment at Taichung’s China Medical University Hospital. After several days she showed improvement and was deemed stable enough to return home to Macau.
On Thursday, Mainland Affairs Council Deputy Chairman Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑) expressed condolences. MAC staff at Taiwan’s representative office in Macau were instructed to meet with the family on behalf of the government, per CNA.
The toddler’s passing marks the fifth death as a result of the explosion. The other victims include her two grandparents, a construction worker, and a Mitsukoshi employee who was overseeing renovations on the 11th and 12th floors when the explosion occurred.
While an accidental gas leak is suspected, the circumstances and source of the leak are still under investigation. On Wednesday, Taichung Fire Department announced the complete investigative report would be released by the end of March.