Terrifying moment huge explosion tears through shopping mall killing at least four & injuring 26 shoppers in Taiwan

HORROR footage shows the moment a huge explosion ripped through a shopping mall - killing at least four people.

At least 26 others including tourists have been seriously injured in the suspected gas blast in Taichung, Taiwan.

Video of the explosion shows cladding and other debris flying off the building and dust billowing from inside after the explosion rocked the multistorey building.

Force of the blast was such that large pieces of debris were seen raining over the people on the street below.

The tragedy occurred at the food court on the 12th floor of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store.

Higher floors of the upscale department store were blown out after the explosion.

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen said she had been working in the city government building next door when she felt a "vibration" at around 11:30 am.

"The explosion is very serious and the rescue is ongoing," Lu said.

The fire department sent 56 vehicles, 136 people, a dog and a drone to carry out search and rescue efforts, the fire agency said.

A family of seven from Macau were among the casualties after they were hit by falling debris as they left the department store.

Both the grandparents died and five others were injured, including a two-year-old child, who suffered a severe head wound.

Dozens of firefighters were deployed to the scene and parts of the building's exterior were damaged and scattered fragments were strewn on the streets.

Pictures released by the National Fire Agency showed extensive damage inside the department store, with twisted metal hanging from the ceiling and covering the floor.

Floors nine to 12 were affected, the fire agency said.

More than 200 people were evacuated from the store and six people were rescued from elevators.

Taichung Fire Bureau Chief Sun Fu-you said the blast appeared to have been caused by gas but it was unclear if it was related to the construction work.

Liao Yu-fu, 26, said he was woken from a nap by the sound of the explosion and thought it was a "plane hitting a house".

He added: "There was a vibration and even my bed was shaking.

"The sound lasted for a long time and I was scared."

A woman who had been on the sixth floor of the store at the time said there was a "very loud vibration" and then debris began falling.

"At first, we thought it's an earthquake," the woman told local broadcaster TVBS.

"When I walked down the stairs, there was broken glass on every floor at the elevator entrance. Every floor is affected."