Chang Chia-juch, Taiwan's Economic Minister Chang Chia-juch and his deputy, Woody Duh, offered to resign from their post after the natural gas explosion in southern Taiwan last week, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Cabinet members have reached out to both ministers to convince them to remain in their posts.

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Citizens were blaming local and central government officials for the underground pipe damage that killed innocent lives. Of all the officials, Chang faces the most scrutiny and pressure from citizens.

However, Chang is willing to resign from his post to avoid finger-pointing.

"I choose to shoulder all responsibilities and undertake all criticisms, hoping to take this opportunity to urge the ruling and opposition parties to cast aside their own political interests and join hands to resolve the problems before us," Chang said.

On Thursday, four of the Kaohsiung goverment's ranking officials, including a deputy mayor, also offered to resign stating that they are also responsible for the deadly blasts.

Mayor Chen Chu must authorize the resignations for them to become official.

On July 31, a series of explosions ripped through Kaohsiuh shortly before midnight which sent nearly 300 people to the hospital and killed at least 30 people.

Prosecutors are still investigating the causes for the tragedy and rebuilding efforts are still underway.

Government officials have raided the corporate office of LCY Chemical Corporation which owned the pipeline that ignited the blasts.

The LCY Chemical Corporation has a long history of safety violations, WSJ reported.

Tagsresignation, Taiwan blast, Chang Chia-juch, Woody Duh, kaohsiung, LCY Chemical Corporation