A 2-year-old girl from Macao, who sustained critical injuries in the Feb. 13 explosion at Taichung's Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store, remains in a coma and is set to return to Macao today (Feb. 26) aboard a medical charter flight. The explosion tragically claimed the lives of her grandparents, severely injured other family members, and left the girl with life-threatening head injuries.
According to reports, the family of seven, including the girl's parents, grandparents, a 24-year-old uncle, and 85-year-old great-grandmother, were sightseeing in Taiwan when the explosion occurred. The family happened to be near the department store when the blast struck. The girl's 56-year-old grandfather was killed instantly by falling debris, while her 58-year-old grandmother succumbed to her injuries after being taken to the hospital. The toddler's uncle and great-grandmother suffered fractures, while her parents sustained minor injuries. In the chaos, the parents carried the unconscious toddler and flagged down a passing car for emergency help. All were eventually rushed to the hospital.
The 2-year-old girl underwent emergency cranial surgery and, though she remains in a coma, her vital signs have stabilized in recent days. After extensive coordination between medical teams in Taiwan and Macao, the girl, her great-grandmother, and her uncle were discharged from the hospital today and will travel back to Macao together on a medical charter flight. Upon arrival, Macao's medical team will take over her care. Shin Kong Mitsukoshi has stated it will cover all costs for the flight and the family's medical expenses.
The grandparents' funeral was held in Taiwan on Feb. 20, followed by a cremation ceremony. The family plans to bring their ashes back to Macao.
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