Many Buildings Collapsed During the Earthquake, Turkey Holds 180 People
ANKARA - An investigation by the authorities in Turkey into the construction of perishable buildings after a devastating earthquake hit the country is expanding. The Turkish government says more than 600 people are now being investigated in this regard. For years, experts warned that corruption was rife and government policies made many new buildings unsafe. The confirmed death toll from earthquakes earlier this month in Turkey and Syria has now exceeded 50,000. Turkey's Justice Minister, Bekir Bozdag, said 184 suspects - including construction contractors and property owners - had been arrested. Bozdag made the televised remarks from southeastern Turkey, where a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit and was followed by another strong quake just hours later. His statement shows how the investigation expanded. Two weeks ago, the arrest authority said that 113 arrest warrants had been issued. Among those arrested, Turkish media reported, was the mayor of one of the towns close to the earthqua...