The Hualien District Prosecutors’ Office today indicted Guangfu Township (光復) Mayor Lin Ching-shui (林清水) and two other township officials over the Mataian River (馬太鞍溪) barrier lake flood that left 19 people dead and five missing last year, seeking the maximum 10-year prison sentence for the mayor.
The three officials were charged with dereliction of duty by a public official resulting in a disaster, manipulating official documents and negligent homicide under the Criminal Code.
Prosecutors recommended a 10-year sentence for Lin and nine-year sentences each for a township office secretary surnamed Chang (張) and a section chief surnamed Wang (王).
Photo: Taipei Times
The three defendants had a statutory duty to protect public lives and property, and to prevent disasters from escalating, prosecutors said.
Despite being fully aware of the dangers associated with the potential overflow of the barrier lake, and even following the expansion of the evacuation zone and the issuance of a red alert, the officials ignored repeated instructions from authorities and neglected their duty to carry out a mandatory evacuation, prosecutors said.
At this critical time, Lin was allegedly attending to personal matters regarding dental implants, they said.
Lin also conspired with Wang to falsify evacuation data to cover up the situation, while Chang helped to deflect responsibility, prosecutors added.
As the officials neglected their duties, 19 residents were unable to escape in time and lost their lives, they said, adding that their actions have severely damaged the credibility of the national civil service.
The three defendants have shown an “egregious” attitude following the disaster, prosecutors said, requesting the maximum penalty of 10 years for Lin and nine years each for Chang and Wang.
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