TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei City Mayor Chiang Wan-an announced on Friday (Sept. 8) that it may be three days before residents can retrieve possessions from recently collapsed buildings on Dazhi Street as the city government rushes to stabilize the area.
Multiple housing units on Lane 94 of Dazhi St., in Taipei's Zhongshan District, have seen severe cracks in the walls and foundation, with one entirely collapsed.
Outraged citizens have accused Kee Tai Properties Co. Ltd. of construction mismanagement and have previously petitioned for a closer site inspection, only to be ignored by the city government.
Mayor Chiang has confirmed the city's latest response, noting that 369 residents have been relocated and cautioning more might follow. He assured the affected residents that they would receive lawful compensation, vowing to assist in pursuing responsible parties for remedial actions.
The disaster area now houses underground monitors to keep the situation under surveillance and to prevent further damage.
Chiang and other officials have issued an evacuation command, which saw 197 homes of about 369 residents moved to safety across nine hotels.
The mayor affirms that residents would be promptly notified to retrieve their belongings once a situation is deemed safe. He firmly pledges that resident compensation and contractor accountability legalities will be addressed appropriately.