Two people died and two others were wounded after an explosion rocked the front of a mall along Tara Street in Masbate City
Two people were killed and two others were injured after an explosion hit the area in front of a mall in Barangay Pating, Masbate City on Saturday afternoon, November 14, 2026.
Based on the report of Inquirer, the blast happened outside the LCC Market and Department Store along Tara Street. The Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) said the incident was recorded at around 2:35 p.m., according to the Daily Tribune.
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) said the explosion took place near the exit of the LCC Furniture Store, a spot where tricycles usually line up to pick up passengers, as reported by Breaking News Negros Oriental. The victims initially identified by the police were tricycle drivers, Manila Bulletin reported.
The two wounded victims were rushed by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) to the Masbate Provincial Hospital for treatment.
PRO-5 spokesperson Police Lt. Col. Maria Luisa Calubaquib said initial findings pointed to a pressurized biogas explosion, based on coordination with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the CDRRMO. These findings, however, still need to be confirmed through laboratory examination of soil samples and swab specimens gathered from the scene.
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team also conducted sniffing operations but reportedly found no explosive components in the area.
“However, authorities emphasized that these initial findings are not yet conclusive as to the nature and cause of the incident,” the police said in a statement.
According to the Philippine News Agency, PRO-5 Director Brig. Gen. Randy Glenn Silvio assured the public that the incident is being treated with utmost seriousness. Investigators are interviewing witnesses, reviewing CCTV footage from nearby establishments, and conducting forensic tests.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Bicol also reached out to the affected families and offered medical and funeral assistance through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
Meanwhile, the Masbate Police Provincial Office urged the public not to share unverified reports, including chat messages circulating online that discourage people from going to Gaisano Capital Mall. Police warned that spreading false information during emergencies may cause panic and hamper the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are still waiting for the results of the forensic examination to determine the exact cause of the explosion.
READ ALSO: Fire Hits Factory Inside Subic Bay Freeport, Burns for Nearly 8 Hours; 2 Hurt
