TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Tainan District Prosecutors Office on Monday secured court approval to detain three suspects over a fire and explosion in Annan District that injured 15 people and affected more than 100 households.
CNA reported that the suspects are a local borough chief surnamed Cheng (鄭) and two men surnamed Yang (楊) and Kung (龔). Prosecutors said the three are suspected of offenses against public safety and violations of the Waste Disposal Act.
Prosecutors said there was a risk that the three suspects could destroy evidence or coordinate their statements. They also said Yang posed a flight risk and asked the Tainan District Court to detain the three and bar them from receiving visitors or communicating with people outside the detention center.
The court approved the requests after questioning the suspects. It said there was sufficient evidence to suspect the three of violating the Waste Disposal Act and reason to believe they could destroy evidence or coordinate their statements.
The court also found that Yang posed a flight risk. It said detention was necessary because the case involved multiple injuries and extensive property damage, per FTV News.
The fire broke out early Saturday at an open lot on Haidian Road in Annan District. A powerful explosion occurred while firefighters were putting out the blaze because the burning material contained magnesium-aluminum compounds.
The explosion injured 15 people, including three firefighters. Eleven homes were severely damaged, while another 102 households were also affected, per Liberty Times.
Investigators are trying to determine where the waste containing magnesium-aluminum compounds came from and why it was stored at the site. Prosecutors and police are continuing to investigate the case.
