Arrest warrants issued for 17 in Bangkok tower collapse
Police in Thailand say arrest warrants have been issued for 17 people over alleged violations in the construction of a high-rise building in Bangkok. The tower collapsed after a massive earthquake struck neighboring Myanmar in late March. At least 92 people were killed at the site.
Police say the warrants were issued on Thursday. The suspects include the representative of one of the country's largest construction firms, as well as an executive of the local subsidiary of a Chinese state-owned company. The building project was a joint venture between the two firms.
Police accused the suspects of building a tower that did not meet safety standards, resulting in scores of casualties.
Police investigations have found that substandard concrete and steel were used in construction. They also said an engineer's name was forged on a document when the design of the elevator shaft core was changed.
Most of the suspects surrendered to police after the arrest warrants were issued.
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