Prosecutors suspect building that collapsed during Taiwan earthquake was shoddily constructed

Tainan: Prosecutors in Taiwan were Tuesday seeking to detain the developer of a 16-storey apartment complex toppled by a deadly quake, officials said Tuesday, amid suspicions of shoddy construction. Around 40 people are confirmed dead and some 100 are still missing in the ruins after the collapse of the Wei-kuan building. [caption id=“attachment_2618528” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Rescue personnel work at the site where the apartment building collapsed, after an earthquake in Tainan, southern Taiwan. Reuters[/caption] It was the only high-rise in the southern city of Tainan to crumble completely when the 6.4 magnitude quake struck before dawn Saturday. Prosecutors have launched an investigation into the disaster after photos showed cans and foam had been used to fill parts of the complex’s concrete framework. The developer, identified as Lin Ming-hui, and two of his employees were taken to the prosecutors’ office in Tainan early Tuesday, said a police officer from the local prosecutors’ office. “The three people were escorted to the Tainan district court for questioning,” the officer told AFP. Local media said prosecutors are seeking the detention of the three at a court session underway Tuesday evening. Kuo Chen-hsiu, a spokeswoman for Tainan district court, confirmed a hearing was being held to decide whether to take Lin and two employees into custody. More than 210 people have been rescued from the building. But the city government and rescuers estimate more than 100 others could still be buried in the rubble. AFP