Armed men perpetrated the largest robbery in Taiwan's history when they snatched more than two million dollars in cash from a gold dealer in a violent heist lasting only 30 seconds, media said Tuesday.

Three robbers fired a shot at the dealer outside a shop in south Taiwan's Tainan city on Monday shortly after he removed 77 million Taiwan dollars (2.41 million US) from the trunk of his car, the Apple Daily reported.

The bullet missed the gold dealer but instead hit his niece in the leg, who is recovering after surgery. The robbers grabbed the cash and fled within just 30 seconds, the report said.

Police suspect the robbery was organised by rival gold dealers who had inside information on the man's business, it said.

The Tainan city police department declined to comment to AFP.

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