Guangfu mayor facing 10 years over deadly barrier lake floodBy Wang Chin-yi / Staff reporterThe Hualien District Prosecutors’ Office today indicted Guangfu Township (光復) Mayor Lin Ching-shui (林清水) and two other township officials over the Mataian River (馬太鞍溪) barrier lake flood that left 19 people dead and five missing last year, seeking the maximum 10-year prison sentence for the mayor. Prosecutors recommended a 10-year sentence for Lin and nine-year sentences each for a township office secretary surnamed Chang (張) and a section chief surnamed Wang (王). Guangfu Township Mayor Lin Ching-shui is pictured in an undated photograph. Photo: Taipei TimesThe three defendants had a statutory duty to protect public lives and property, and to prevent disasters from escalating, prosecutors said. Lin also conspired with Wang to falsify evacuation data to cover up the situation, while Chang helped to deflect responsibility, prosecutors added.

Source: Taipei Times March 09, 2026 15:23 UTC