Death toll increased to 94 in Taiwan quake

Taipei : On Friday  the authorities announced the death toll from a powerful earthquake that struck Taiwan on February 6 has increased to 94 with some 30 people still reported missing.

According to an official update on the casualties, the collapse of the 16-storey Wei Guan building in Tainan city, the most seriously damaged in the 6.7-magnitude quake, accounted for 92 of the total casualties, Xinhua news agency reported.

Local people blame the building’s developer for using shoddy construction material.

The chances of finding more survivors from the building were becoming slim, but search efforts would continue, EFE news reported, rescuers said.

A memorial service for the victims was held in Tainan city earlier in the day which was attended by President Ma Ying-jeou and Tsai Ing-wen, the opposition leader and president designate.

Taiwan will observe a national day of mourning on Monday with the national flag flying at half mast.