Quake damage shows toppled building built with tin cans
Digital Reporter
Tuesday, February 9, 2016, 12:15 PM - A powerful earthquake struck Taiwan early Saturday morning, causing at least 40 deaths and widespread damage. Now, the structure of some of the collapsed buildings are being investigated after photos of 'tin cans' in the walls surfaced.
Eleven buildings collapsed, one of them a residential condo building. At least 24 people were killed in that disaster alone, while search efforts continue to find another 120 who may be missing in the rubble.
According to CNN, the Taiwanese government has ordered an investigation into the collapse after images emerged showing tin cans built into the walls of the complex.
First responders discovered the cans during rescue operations, Taiwan's state-owned Central News Agency (CNA) reports. It appears they were used as construction fillers in beams.
An engineer told CNA it is illegal to use tine cans "for such purposes" in construction, although it was "not illegal prior to September 1999."
Since September 1999, styrofoam and formwork boards have been used instead, according to CNA.
"The building essentially collapsed onto itself," Elise Hu, an NPR correspondent, told CNN.
"When you see the aerial images around Tainan, the rest of the buildings are standing. But this particular apartment complex is as damaged as it is."
At least 40 people were killed during Saturday's quake. More than 500 were injured.