Massive underground gas blast has killed at least 5 and injured about 200 people in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

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.

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.