Mainland-based Taiwan businesses donate after Kaohsiung blasts

Taiwanese businesses based on the Chinese mainland have donated 10 million New Taiwan dollars (333,394 US dollars) for victims of underground gas explosions in the island's Kaohsiung City.

The associations of Beijing Taiwan enterprises and Shanghai Taiwan enterprises have each donated 5 million New Taiwan dollars.

Gas leaks were reported in the city's Cianjhen District at 8:46 pm on Thursday, leading to multiple blasts that affected a three square km area, overturning cars and ripping up roads.

At least 27 people have been confirmed dead, according to data from the island's emergency operation authority on Saturday.

The blasts, at around midnight, left another 284 injured, 56 of them critically.

Kaohsiung government has resettled more than 900 residents, while electricity supply to 12,000 households and gas supply to about 23,000 have been cut.