Taiwan earthquake: Toll reaches 114 as rescue efforts end

Nearly all those killed in the temblor were casualties of the collapse of the 17-storey Wei-guan Golden Dragon residential tower in Tainan city.

Feb 14, 2016 · 02:33 pm

Taiwan earthquake: Toll reaches 114 as rescue efforts end — A rescue worker brings down a victim from the collapsed Wei Kuan complex building in Tainan, southern Taiwan, on February 7, 2016, following a strong 6.4-magnitude earthquake that struck early on February 6. Rescuers raced on February 7 to free more than 120 people buried under the rubble of an apartment complex felled by an earthquake in southern Taiwan that left 24 confirmed dead, as an investigation began into the collapse. | AFP Photo/Sam Yeh

As many as 114 bodies were recovered from the rubble of the building that collapsed due to the 6.4-magnitude earthquake that hit Taiwan's Tainan city a week ago. Of the 289 people pulled out from the debris, 175 were alive, while 96 were taken to the hospital, Mayor of Tainan, William Lai, said. He added that rescue efforts had now ended. City officials said all those believed to have been missing in the building collapse were now accounted for, Reuters reported.

Nearly all those killed in the temblor were casualties of the collapse of the 17-storey Wei-guan Golden Dragon residential tower in Tainan. Two other people died elsewhere. Local authorities are investigating the building's collapse. Although they took three individuals into custody, including the developer of the building, earlier this week, no one has been formally charged yet.

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