Focus Taiwan
Date: 2016/02/10
By: Yang Sz-ruei and Kuo Chung-han
Taipei, Feb. 10 (CNA) A victim claimed on social media Wednesday that the
removal of columns, beams and walls in the lower stories of an apartment complex in Tainan contributed to its collapse in the Feb. 6 earthquake that left dozens dead.
The woman surnamed Cheng said on her Facebook page that all of the beams, columns and walls on the first to fourth floors of buildings A, B and C of the Weiguan Jinlong complex were removed seven years ago by their owner, a Ms. Lan, to be able to rent the space for more money.
Cheng, who supported her claim with a picture and written statement, said the structural changes were reported to local authorities but were not pursued. [FULL STORY]