TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Hualien District Prosecutors Office has indicted Lin Ching-shui (林清水), mayor of Guangfu Township, on charges of dereliction of duty and negligent manslaughter in connection with the Mataian barrier lake disaster that left 19 people dead.
Prosecutors are seeking a 10-year prison sentence. After questioning on Monday, Lin was released on NT$1 million (US$31,400) bail and ordered to wear an electronic ankle monitor, per CNA.
Prosecutors said Lin underestimated the potential danger despite warnings issued on Sept. 19 and Sept. 21 last year by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency. Instead of overseeing emergency preparations, Lin traveled to Yilan County and assigned township office secretary Chang (張) to attend a virtual meeting with the Central Emergency Operations Center in his place, prosecutors said.
After returning from Yilan, Lin allegedly failed to direct disaster response operations and instead hosted a dinner for army rescue personnel deployed to the area. Prosecutors said he only ordered mandatory evacuations in a limited area, while advising residents in other zones to move to higher ground or stay with relatives.
Prosecutors also note that after a red alert for mandatory evacuation was issued, Lin failed to carry out his duties and instead underwent a dental implant procedure during the disaster. Authorities further claim that Lin, Chang, and the township’s Civil Affairs Section chief, surnamed Wang (王), fabricated evacuation numbers to appease superiors.
During a meeting at the Hualien County Disaster Response Center, Lin reportedly stated that preventive evacuations had been completed even though some residents remained in the warning zone. Furthermore, prosecutors claim officials inflated evacuation figures.
In January, prosecutors searched Lin’s residence and the Guangfu Township Office, reviewing evacuation lists, disaster prevention reports, and other evidence as part of the investigation. Township secretary Chang and civil affairs section head Wang were also indicted on the same charges. Prosecutors are seeking nine-year prison sentences for both officials.
