Taiwanese prosecutors charged a construction company owner in a building collapse case that killed one resident in Hualien County. A magnitude 7.2 earthquake on April 3 last year caused the Uranus building to partially collapse, revealing severe design and construction flaws. The incident displaced hundreds of residents and prompted authorities to launch an urgent review of seismic safety regulations.
Investigators found that first-floor columns failed because of poor earthquake resistance and structural deficiencies. A resident, surnamed Kang, initially escaped but returned to retrieve her cat. Debris fell on her, crushing her chest, and she died from traumatic asphyxiation.
The building’s owner, Chen, bought the land in 1984 and constructed a nine-story building with a basement. He hired an architect and a civil engineer to design and supervise the project. Investigators discovered that structural calculations underestimated the building’s weight and seismic load, leaving columns and beams under-reinforced and vulnerable to earthquakes.
Prosecutors said Chen neglected to supervise construction. Workers installed column stirrups too far apart, and main reinforcement beams were too short, reducing the rebar’s effective strength by 30 percent. Investigators also determined that Chen ignored safety oversight mechanisms, allowing deficiencies to persist.
The architect, civil engineer, and a construction manager shared responsibility for oversight. Prosecutors indicted only Chen because the civil engineer and manager have died, and authorities still seek the architect. Chen denied wrongdoing, blamed others for the collapse, and showed no remorse during questioning.
Prosecutors urged the court to impose a heavy sentence, citing Chen’s neglect and its deadly consequences. Legal experts said the case may strengthen nationwide enforcement of construction standards. Authorities stressed the importance of rigorous seismic design in earthquake-prone areas like Hualien.
The building collapse case highlights systemic risks in construction management and emphasizes the need for accountability. Officials continue inspecting similar structures and enforcing compliance with earthquake-resistant design standards to prevent future tragedies.
