OVER 100 STILL TRAPPED
Taiwanese rescuers rush to reach 120 victims trapped in collapsed building
TAINAN: Rescuers raced to free more than 120 people buried under the rubble of an apartment complex felled by an earthquake in southern Taiwan, as an investigation began into the collapse.
At least 29 people were confirmed dead as emergency workers dug for survivors of the 6.4-magnitude quake that toppled the 16-storey complex of almost 100 homes in the city of Tainan on Saturday.
Officials said an investigation had been launched as questions were raised over the safety of the residential blocks in the complex.
Tainan mayor William Lai said survivors and relatives had reported legal “violations”, but gave no further details.
“I’ve contacted judicial units and prosecutors have formally launched an investigation,” said Lai.
“We’ve also commissioned three independent bodies to preserve evidence during the rescue so that we can assist the residents if they want to file lawsuits in the future. We will hold the builder responsible if they have broken the law.”
Local media reported that the construction company which built the complex had gone out of business and also raised questions over the quality of the materials used.
Yueh Chin-sen, whose mother-inlaw’s family of eight was still trapped, said the residents had complained of defects in the building.
“They complained that the building wasn’t well constructed as there were cracks in the walls and tiles fell off after several quakes in recent years,” he said. “I hope the government will prosecute the builder on criminal charges as people lost their lives.”
Rescuers said 126 residents were still missing, with 103 of them trapped “very deep” in the rubble, according to Lai.
“There’s no way to get to them directly. It’s very difficult,” he said, adding that emergency workers had to shore up the ruins to ensure they were secure before digging.
Census records show around 260 people living in the blocks, but Lai said it was now thought that more than 300 had been inside.
Officials have said some students renting rooms would not have been registered as living in the building, and additional family members may have returned there to celebrate the Lunar New Year.