Gas explosion like in Taiwan unlikely here, Hong Kong experts say

Could the blast that ripped through a street in Taiwan's second city happen in Hong Kong?

Local experts say it is unlikely because the city has improved its gas transmission system and leakage detection after a series of accidents in the past.

They said the properties of the gases that exploded in Kaohsiung early yesterday and an inability to identify the source of the leak might be part of the reasons why they caused so much damage.

Vincent Chow Hau-keung, of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, said that in Hong Kong, petrochemical products were not transported via underground pipelines through urban areas.

"What we have in the gas pipes are either liquefied petroleum gases made of propane and butane, or natural gases to be converted into town gas. The chance [of a similar incident] is low, but we will still be closely following the latest incident."

The leaked gases in Kaohsiung were thought to be propene and ethylene, which were mainly used in industry and were often moved in large volume or under high pressure, Chow said.