Kaohsiung, Taiwan Explosion, Fire: 5 Dead, 200+ People Taken to Hospital After Gas Blast (Photos, Video)

An underground gas explosion has left at least 200 people injured in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on Thursday, according to preliminary reports.

The Associated Press reported that at least five people were killed and 228 were injured. Firefighters are among those killed in the incident.

Taiwanese PM Jiang Yi-Huah said there were at least five explosions.

Photos uploaded to Twitter showed roaring flames downtown.

The Focus Taiwan News Channel reported that “multiple gas explosions” rocked the streets. The gas leaks started at around 9 p.m local time.

“I saw fire spurting, ripping off some covers of ditches. It was terrifying,” a witness told the channel.