HONG KONG -- Hong Kong Chief Executive C Y Leung Friday expressed sadness on the tragic gas explosions in Kaohsiung city in China's Taiwan province that caused heavy casualties.

Leung made the expression on behalf of the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the people of Hong Kong. He also extended condolences to the families of the victims.

The deadly explosions happened around midnight on Thursday in Kaohsiung, Taiwan's second largest city, where a large area of the streets were blasted into trenches, leaving more than 20 people dead and close to 270 people injured.