TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Prosecutors in Hualien on Wednesday searched Guangfu Township Office and questioned the mayor, Lin Ching-shui (林清水), as part of an investigation into the response to last year’s deadly flooding.
Authorities are looking into charges that could include document forgery, dereliction of duty, and negligent homicide, per CNA. No charges have been filed at the time of publication.
The disaster began when a landslide-dammed lake on Mataian Creek overflowed on Sept. 23, sending floodwaters into Guangfu Township and nearby areas and leaving 19 dead and five missing.
Hualien District Prosecutors Office directed investigators to carry out searches at Lin’s residence and other locations starting early Wednesday. They collected materials related to the evacuation planning and record-keeping.
Lin and three current or former township office personnel, including the office secretary and the head of the Civil Affairs section, were brought in for questioning. Investigators are examining whether warnings and evacuation measures were handled in line with the law.
A key focus is on how evacuation figures were compiled and reported and whether any records contained false entries. Prosecutors said the probe covers units involved in both monitoring the barrier lake and carrying out evacuations.
