Taiwan quake death toll rises to 112

Taipei: The death toll in a powerful earthquake that struck Taiwan on February 6 has risen to 112 with five people still reported missing, the authorities announced on Saturday.

Efforts are on to locate the missing people who were believed to be trapped in the 16-storey Wei Guan building, the most seriously damaged in the 6.7-magnitude quake that hit Tainan city. The building collapsed towards a road on its east side seconds after the earthquake.

Meanwhile, 281 people were rescued from the building.

Prosecutors on Friday arraigned the builder of the building and also searched his residence, Taiwan News reported.

The builder Lin Ming-hui and two architects believed to be responsible for the construction are being detained.

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