TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taichung City Government approved Friday (Sept. 26) the reopening of Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Taichung Zhonggang Store (新光三越台中中港店). A February gas explosion at the department store killed five people and injured 38 others, forcing closure for safety renovations. The store will resume operations Saturday after meeting regulatory requirements.
Li Cheng-wei (李正偉), director of Taichung City Urban Development Bureau, Taiwan's municipal planning agency, informed city council members about the completion. Shin Kong Mitsukoshi finished required professional engineer verifications and third-party certifications. The company submitted all mandatory inspection reports before receiving Saturday reopening approval.
Shin Kong Mitsukoshi expressed commitment to welcoming customers back to a safer shopping environment following extensive renovations. The department store stated it underwent multiple safety inspections and rebuilt facilities to provide enhanced security. Company officials emphasized readiness to deliver improved shopping experiences after the tragic February incident.
Taichung City Police Department's Sixth Precinct collaborated with the Transportation Bureau and store operators to manage anticipated reopening crowds. Authorities devised traffic strategies including signage to prevent lane queueing around the department store. Police plan interruption control during peak weekend hours to maintain smooth traffic flow on main roads. ◼