A string of explosions believed to have been triggered by ruptured gas pipelines in the southern Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung killed at least 20 and wounded more than 270 on Thursday night.

At around 9:00 p.m., residents of Kaohsiung reported a white gas leaking from the city sewage system. Firefighters sprayed water in an attempt to lower the concentration of gas. Some roads were blocked.

Investigators believe that some pipelines at a light-rail construction site had been leaking butane and ethylene.The gases spread through the sewage system, igniting a series of blasts at around midnight.

Footage shows that roads were ripped apart, with cars — including fire trucks — flung into the craters by the explosions.

At least five firefighters were among the dead and soldiers have been deployed to assist in the rescue operation.

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