Chiayi prosecutors yesterday launched a criminal investigation into the Pachang Creek incident to decide whether officials were guilty of negligence or manslaughter.
If found guilty of negligence, public officials could face anywhere between three and 10 years imprisonment, according to the Criminal Code.
Meanwhile, a demerit was handed down to 13 ministers including Director of the National Fire Administration Chen Horng-i (陳弘毅), Director-General of National Police Administration Ting Yuan-chin (丁原進) and the Ministry of National Defense's war command deputy, Major General Chung Shen-ning (鍾申寧).
"The focus of our investigation will be why was there a delay? Was there enough time to carry out a rescue during the delay? Also, to determine if the delay constitutes a criminal offense, if it is found officials failed to launch a rescue attempt?" said Tseng Ming-fung (
The State Public Prosecutor General Lu Jen-fa (
Lu said that governmental officials could be found guilty of an offense under a law related to the "public official's negligence of duties, thereby causing catastrophes."
But Lu stressed he would not interfere in the investigation.
Tseng said another possible charge was manslaughter by neglect of official duties, which carries imprisonment of less than five years.
Led by Tseng, three Chiayi prosecutors yesterday visited Chiayi's air force base, the base of the airborne police in Taichung and the Chiayi Fire Department. They also spoke with eyewitnesses.
Tseng said inconsistencies between the reports of the different units needed to be checked.
An airborne police rescue helicopter was dispatched from Taichung, but investigators discovered it turned back as the pilot was told the workers had already been swept away by the torrent.
The air force says that according to regulations it was not their responsibility to carry out rescue efforts below 2,500m above sea level.
Asked if this regulation exempted the air force from criminal charges for not dispatching a helicopter, Tseng said the matter still needed to be examined.
SECURITY: As China is ‘reshaping’ Hong Kong’s population, Taiwan must raise the eligibility threshold for applications from Hong Kongers, Chiu Chui-cheng said When Hong Kong and Macau citizens apply for residency in Taiwan, it would be under a new category that includes a “national security observation period,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. President William Lai (賴清德) on March 13 announced 17 strategies to counter China’s aggression toward Taiwan, including incorporating national security considerations into the review process for residency applications from Hong Kong and Macau citizens. The situation in Hong Kong is constantly changing, Chiu said to media yesterday on the sidelines of the Taipei Technology Run hosted by the Taipei Neihu Technology Park Development Association. With
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
A US Marine Corps regiment equipped with Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) is set to participate in the upcoming Balikatan 25 exercise in the Luzon Strait, marking the system’s first-ever deployment in the Philippines. US and Philippine officials have separately confirmed that the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) — the mobile launch platform for the Naval Strike Missile — would take part in the joint exercise. The missiles are being deployed to “a strategic first island chain chokepoint” in the waters between Taiwan proper and the Philippines, US-based Naval News reported. “The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College
RSS