TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Kee Tai Properties Co. Ltd. stated that it would accept responsibility and is halting construction immediately after their construction site resulted in the collapse of neighboring buildings on Thursday evening (Sept. 7).
Residential buildings on "Lane 94, Dazhi St., Zhongshan District" began leaning precariously last night, leading to an emergency evacuation of 159 people from 35 households around 8 p.m.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an initially attributed the instability to construction company Kee Tai Properties Co. Ltd.'s excavations, which had dug three sublevels without sufficient foundational work, causing retaining walls to collapse.
Kee Tai has expressed remorse for the neighboring damage caused yesterday evening. To ensure public safety, the company has stabilized the site, filled in sections overnight in cooperation with subcontractors, and paused work until their site is secure.
The Taipei City Government has also intervened with traffic controls, utility cutoffs, and provision of on-site lighting, stating there were no casualties.
Kee Tai plans to provide a variety of restitution measures to the affected residents. They pledged to involve the city government, local representatives, and village heads in the ensuing dialogues to protect residents' rights.