Prosecutors seek to hold mayor incommunicado after deadly floodBy Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNAHualien County prosecutors have asked to hold Guangfu Township (光復) Mayor Lin Ching-shui (林清水) incommunicado on suspicion of negligence in evacuation duties during last year’s Mataian River (馬太鞍溪) flood, which left 19 dead and five missing. The Hualien District Prosecutors’ Office yesterday searched eight locations, including Lin’s home and the township office, summoning Lin and three others for questioning. Guangfu Township Mayor Lin Ching-shui is pictured in an undated photograph. Photo: Taipei Times file photoLin’s detention is necessary because he poses a risk of colluding with accomplices and witnesses, prosecutors said. Many agencies were involved with the Mataian River disaster, which involved monitoring, alerts, dredging and evacuations, prosecutors said, adding that they would not rule out further searches and questioning.

Source: Taipei Times January 15, 2026 08:06 UTC