Several blasts have ripped through Kaohsiung, a city in south-western Taiwan, killing 4, injuring over 180 and overturning cars, local media reported. The cause is thought to be gas leaks in the sewage system.

According to witnesses, gas leaks began at around 9:00 p.m. local time. They formed white fog while fire was lighted up, leading to big explosions on several streets, China’s Central News Agency reported.

Some witnessed told the agency they first thought some "poisonous gas" had leaked from the old railway and a construction site of Kaohsiung's light rapid transit system.

"I saw fire spurting, ripping off some covers of ditches. It was terrifying," he said.

Others reported the whole street was strewn with bodies, as the sky turned red with the light of the flames. At least 4 people were killed and 186 taken to hospital following the blasts, Taiwan's United Daily News newspaper said.

The blasts which hit Kaisuan Road and Ersheng Road were felt in at least four areas in the port-city of Kaohsiung, which is home to over 2.7 million people, most of them Chinese.
(RT)