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TAIPEI (AP) — Taiwan’s president on Saturday paid her respects at a morgue to the handfuls of individuals killed in a lethal inferno that ripped by way of an growing older tower block earlier within the week.
The fireplace within the southern metropolis of Kaohsiung killed not less than 46 individuals, in accordance with authorities, after it broke out early Thursday morning. The flames engulfed the decrease half of a 13-story constructing that housed many residents who have been poor, aged or disabled.
President Tsai Ing-wen mentioned she had come to town of Kaohsiung “primarily to go to the wounded and supply my condolences to the relations” of the deceased.
“The fireplace accident that occurred within the Cheng Chong Cheng constructing resulted in lots of accidents and deaths. Everyone seems to be feeling deeply unhappy and torn with separation,” she mentioned.
Tsai thanked rescuers, the police power and medical staff for his or her work. She added that the central authorities would work intently with county and metropolis officers to wash up older and deserted buildings, and stop comparable incidents from occurring.
The Taiwanese chief additionally visited hospitals the place dozens of people that have been injured within the blaze have been receiving medical therapy.
The decades-old residence constructing is one in all many within the Yancheng district, an older a part of Kaohsiung, a metropolis of some 2.8 million individuals in southwestern Taiwan.
Main newspaper United Every day Information mentioned that investigators have been specializing in a first-floor tea store the place the fireplace had began, and police have been trying right into a resident who reportedly fought together with his girlfriend earlier on Wednesday. They’d not dominated out arson, in accordance with the paper.
Fireplace extinguishers have been put in final month, however solely three per ground as a result of the residents couldn’t afford to pay extra, it mentioned.
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