A Chinese mainland spokeswoman extended on Friday sincere sympathies to the families of the deceased and the injured in a mall explosion in Taichung, Taiwan.

The blast occurred in a food court on the 12th floor of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Taichung at about 11 am on Thursday, causing substantial damage to both the facade and interior of the building.

As of 8 pm on Thursday, the accident resulted in the death of four people and left 30 others injured.

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen said that the city has set up an emergency response center to coordinate the rescue efforts and local authorities are investigating the incident, island media reported.

Zhu Fenglian, a spokeswoman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said "We feel deeply sad by the incident and express condolences to the compatriots who tragically lost their lives."