Prosecutors in Tainan city have issued an arrest warrant for the developer of the 17-storey Weiguan Jinlong residential complex, which collapsed during the earthquake that hit Taiwan early on Saturday. The deputy secretary general of the Tainan city government, Liu Shih-chung, said an arrest warrant had has also been issued for two others. Of the 35 reportedly killed in the quake, 33 were victims of the building toppling over. More than 100 are feared still buried under the debris.
Officials had launched an investigation into the construction of the building after the incident. “We have also commissioned three independent bodies to preserve evidence during the rescue so we can assist the residents if they want to file lawsuits in the future. We will hold the builder responsible,” Mayor of Tainan William Lai said. CNN reported that tin cans had been found built into the complex, although it was later clarified that they had most likely been used only for aesthetic purposes.
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