Taiwan quake death toll reaches 94 as relatives hold memorial

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A rescue worker watches a digger at the collapsed building in Tainan, Taiwan (11 Feb 2016)Image source, AP
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The Weiguan Jinlong building had hundreds of people inside when it collapsed

The official death toll from the powerful earthquake which hit Tainan city in Taiwan last Saturday has risen to 94.

Efforts continue to find at least 30 people who are still missing, but hopes are fading of anyone being found alive.

On Friday, the president and president- elect attended a memorial service held by relatives of the dead and missing.

All but two of the people killed had been inside one building in Tainan, which completely collapsed.

Lin Ming-hui, the developer of the Weiguan Jinlong (Golden Dragon) complex, and two architects have been detained on suspicion of negligence, amid accusations the building was poorly constructed.

Memorial serviceImage source, EPA
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Family members left incense and offerings for those killed in the earthquake

Mourners at the memorial service in TainanImage source, EPA
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Amid the grief there is anger about whether poor construction contributed to the death toll

President Ma Ying-jeou at the memorial service in TainanImage source, EPA
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Outgoing President Ma Ying-jeou was at the memorial service, and comforted some of the relatives

President-elect Tsai Ing-wen at the memorial service in TainanImage source, EPA
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President-elect Tsai Ing-wen, who was also in attendance, has said her government will prioritise building safety when it takes office