Sunday, 7 February 2016

Taiwan earthquake: Woman and man rescued from collapsed building

Source: BBC

Two people have been pulled alive from the ruins of an apartment building two days after it collapsed in a powerful earthquake in Tainan City in Taiwan.
The first was a woman who was officials said was found lying underneath the body of her husband. Their two-year-old son was found dead nearby.
Shortly later, a man was also rescued alive, local media reported.
At least 35 people died in the magnitude 6.4 quake, most of whom were inside the Weiguan Jinlong building.
More than 100 people are still thought to be trapped inside


The woman, Tsao Wei-ling, was rescued on Monday morning, local MP Wang Ting-yu was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency. She was conscious and was taken to hospital.
Rescuers said it appeared her husband's body had protected her from a falling beam.
The man had been talking to rescuers throughout the night. He was pulled free just before midday local time.
Officials said late on Sunday that 310 people had been rescued from the rubble of the building, with 100 of them taken to hospital.
A six-month-old baby girl pulled alive from the rubble died a few hours later in hospital.

An investigation has been launched into whether the construction of the building contributed to its collapse.
Tainan City Mayor William Lai said survivors had reported legal "violations" in its construction but gave no further details.
Mr Lai said he had contacted judicial units and that prosecutors had formally launched an investigation into the construction of the apartment building.
"We've 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," he said.
"We will hold the builder responsible if they have broken the law."

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