The Hualien District Prosecutors’ Office is investigating local authorities for possible negligent homicide and dereliction of duties after victims of the Sept. 23 flood complained that they never received evacuation notices.
A barrier lake on the Mataian River (馬太鞍溪) overflowed on Sept. 23 amid Super Typhoon Ragasa, flooding Guangfu Township (光復).
As of yesterday, statistics showed that the disaster left 19 people dead and 157 injured, with five people still missing and 717 rescued.
Photo: Taipei Times
Prosecutors today said that they have obtained records from relevant central government agencies, the Hualien County Government and local township offices, and would continue to request additional documents as needed.
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus whip Fu Kun-chi (傅崐萁) recently said that all typhoon evacuation procedures are the responsibility of local government offices.
While prosecutors said they would consider all relevant information, they emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing.
One report said that when investigators went to review documents at the Guangfu Township Office, the office claimed records had been washed away by the flooding.
Hualien County Research and Administration Department Director Chen Chien-tsun (陳建村) today said that many agencies are investigating the Sept. 23 flood.
The county government has consistently cooperated by providing documents when asked, including interagency notifications and response measures, Chen said, adding that everything is being handled through proper procedures.
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