Global Courts Intensify Action on Construction Safety Failures
Published on 07/28/2026 at 22:07 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
Courts across multiple nations have stepped up legal action this week against those responsible for deadly structural failures, with rulings in Turkey and Taiwan delivering significant financial penalties and overturned acquittals, while authorities in Germany, Nigeria, and the Philippines launched fresh investigations and arrests.
Turkish High Court Overturns Acquittal in Earthquake Hostel Collapse
Turkey's Yarg?tay 12th Penal Chamber issued a critical decision on July 28 concerning the collapse of the ?ehit Ömer Halis Demir Girls' Student Hostel in Kahramanmara?. The building failed during the February 2023 earthquakes, killing 13 athletes.
The high court overturned the previous acquittal of civil engineer Selçuk Kurtçu, ruling that he should face sentencing. It also found the sentences handed to three other defendants — Tu?rul Kaya, Memduh Kaya, and Mustafa Attaro?lu — were too lenient. The case has been returned to the Kahramanmara? 3rd High Criminal Court for retrial.
The ruling follows a series of sentencings in Malatya earlier this year and in late 2025 concerning collapsed residential complexes. Courts have issued prison terms ranging from five to fifteen years for contractors, project authors, and municipal officials. In the Maz?c? Apartment case, statics project authors and a technical supervisor received 12 years and six months, while municipal staff received terms exceeding nine years.
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Taiwan Court Increases Damages Over Deadly Park Explosion
In a decision delivered on July 28, the Taiwan High Court overturned a lower court ruling, finding Formosa Wonderworld Co. liable for the 2015 dust explosion at the Formosa Fun Coast park. The disaster killed 15 people and injured more than 400.
The court determined the park operator was negligent for leasing a structure not approved for such use. Total damages were increased to NT$896.89 million (approximately US$27.68 million). The ruling remains subject to further appeal.
Arrests and Investigations Across Europe and Africa
In Germany, prosecutors in Görlitz issued arrest warrants on July 28 for two suspects following a building collapse that killed three people. Investigators believe the collapse resulted from a gas explosion. The suspects are alleged metal thieves who damaged gas pipes, causing a fatal leak. They face charges of causing an explosive event with fatal consequences and negligent homicide.
In Nigeria, the Anambra State Government established an investigation panel after a private three-storey hostel near Federal Polytechnic Oko collapsed, killing at least two people and injuring three others. Preliminary findings from Commissioner Chijioke Ojukwu suggest the building's management knew of structural defects but continued renting rooms to students. State authorities have launched a manhunt for the property owner and manager, vowing to revoke the land title for the site.
In a separate development in Kenya, the High Court on July 27 suspended the prosecution of three officials linked to the collapse of Manzil Towers C in Nairobi. The suspension remains in effect pending a judicial review, with the next court appearance scheduled for September 16, 2026.
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Raid on Steel Supplier After Hotel Collapse in the Philippines
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) conducted a major raid against Chuangxing Steel Inc., the reported steel supplier for a hotel that collapsed during construction in Angeles City, Pampanga.
Authorities seized approximately ?3 billion worth of metal products allegedly substandard or containing radioactive materials. During the operation, 400 workers were rescued and four individuals arrested. The NBI has recommended the prosecution of 12 company officers for manufacturing and supplying hazardous construction materials.
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