Tainan City to offer legal help to blast victims

SEVERE DAMAGE: The fire and explosion affected 68 households and damaged 22 vehicles, and left several with minor injuries, the Tainan City Government said

The Tainan City Government yesterday said it plans to help residents affected by a fire and explosion at a waste storage site seek compensation through a collective lawsuit, after the company suspected of storing the waste was found to have vacated its registered address.

Tainan Deputy Mayor Chao Ching-hui (趙卿惠) said the city government checked the company’s registered address and found that its lease had expired and that the site was now occupied by a hair salon.

Authorities are trying to locate the company’s owner, whose whereabouts remain unknown, she said.

Soldiers help Tainan residents whose homes were affected by Saturday’s explosion clean up the damage yesterday.

Photo: Wang Mei-hsiu, Taipei Times

The city is checking the assets of those involved and related parties, and plans to work with the local bar association to pursue compensation on behalf of affected residents, Chao said, adding that the city is yet to determine what happened.

The waste at the site contained aluminum, magnesium and waste oil, the city said, but authorities are still investigating its source and how it was stored, and are to pursue penalties if violations of waste disposal or other regulations are confirmed.

As of yesterday afternoon, police had questioned two men suspected of involvement in the illegal storage of waste, but they were released after questioning, the city said, adding that the case would be referred to prosecutors for further investigation.

The city would also provide emergency funding to help repair damaged homes, with the costs to be recovered from the company or people responsible, Chao said.

The fire and explosion in Annan District (安南) on Saturday affected 68 households and damaged 22 vehicles, and injured 15. Most of the injuries were minor, and all 15 people were discharged from hospital after treatment.

The city has also temporarily relocated residents of the 11 most severely affected households and provided emergency assistance, while arranging support for home repairs and compensation for property losses.