Macau toddler injured in explosion shows signs of improvement

The two-year-old girl from Macau, critically injured in a gas explosion at a Taichung shopping mall last week, is showing gradual improvement.

The child, who underwent emergency brain surgery, remains in intensive care but no longer requires temperature-controlled treatment, according to Taiwanese reports.

The China Medical University (CMU) Children’s Hospital in Taichung confirmed that the toddler’s vital signs are stable, and her brain pressure is steadily decreasing.

The girl, who suffered severe head trauma, a cerebral hemorrhage, and cerebral edema in the explosion, was initially in a coma and required emergency craniotomy surgery to relieve brain pressure. She also underwent hypothermia treatment to aid recovery.

Hospital officials stated that the child has passed the critical seven-day post-surgery period but remains under close monitoring.

“Although her brain pressure has decreased, she is not yet out of danger,” the hospital said in a statement.

The explosion, which occurred last Thursday at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi shopping mall, killed four people and injured 39 others.

Among the victims were a four-generation Macau family visiting Taiwan. Two family members died in the incident, while five others were injured. Two have since been discharged, but the toddler’s 85-year-old great-grandmother and 24-year-old uncle remain hospitalized.

Airlines refute rumors of refusing to transport bodies

Two airlines operating routes between Taiwan and Macau have refuted reports that they refused to transport the bodies of the victims back to Macau, according to multiple media reports.

Taiwanese media initially reported earlier this week that both Starlux Airlines and Air Macau declined to transport the bodies back to the SAR.

However, Starlux Airlines and Air Macau have denied these claims.

The carriers have assured that they are willing to provide support and assistance to the affected families. They reiterated their commitment to providing humanitarian assistance in such situations.

Rumors surfaced on social media earlier this week claiming that airlines had refused to transport the bodies of the deceased back to Macau, allegedly forcing the families to hold a farewell ceremony and cremate the remains in Taiwan.

In a statement reported by multiple Taiwanese media outlets, Starlux clarified that while they had received inquiries about the service, no formal request had been made.

The airline emphasized its established procedures for transporting remains and expressed willingness to assist in such tragic circumstances. “We always assist travelers with their requests, especially in unexpected situations,” a representative stated, as cited in reports.

Similarly, Air Macau affirmed its readiness to provide support and maintain communication with all involved parties. “We are willing and able to provide assistance at any time,” the airline said in a statement.

This response comes as part of a coordinated effort by the Macau Government Tourism Office, which has mobilized its Tourism Crisis Assistance Team along with the Macau Red Cross to support the families affected by the explosion. Victoria Chan