KAOHSIUNG , Taiwan, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- A petrochemical company apologized for explosions in the city of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, last week that killed 28 people.
Bowei Lee, chairman of LCY Chemical Corporation, at a news conference Sunday, said he "solemnly apologized to society" for the explosions in Taiwan's second-largest city, which injured over 300 people.
The company did not take blame for the incident but said in a statement it would not "shun any responsibility we should bear. We more than anyone want to know the cause."
Kaohsiung authorities said the explosions were caused by leaks from an underground pipeline carrying gas propylene, which is colorless, flammable and used in manufacturing plastic.
Residents in the city's Cianjhen district noted a strong chemical smell Thursday evening, prior to a pressure drop in the pipeline and the later resumption of gas flow. The authorities blame LCY for not informing the city environmental bureau for not reporting the pressure changes.
Three miles of urban roadway collapsed in the explosions, and fires took hours to extinguish. One parked car landed on the roof of a three-story building, the state-run Central News Agency reported.
