A gas explosion rocked the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Taichung, Taiwan, Thursday, leaving four dead and eight others hospitalized. The blast sent debris scattering from the 12th-floor food court onto the streets below, prompting an urgent response from dozens of firefighters. The explosion occurred around 11:30am, damaging the building's exterior. "I felt the shock at my office nearby," said the mayor. She stated the focus is on rescue operations, and an investigation is underway to find further sources of danger. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)