
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, August 16, 1993                   TAG: 9308160121
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: KORAT, THAILAND                                LENGTH: Short

HOTEL OWNER IS ARRESTED; SEARCH GOES ON

Police arrested and charged six people, including the owner, with criminal negligence in connection with the collapse of a six-story hotel that collapsed two days ago.

Meanwhile, rescue crews dug tunnels and lifted slabs of debris Sunday to search for survivors in the wreckage of the Royal Plaza Hotel in Korat, 130 miles northwest of Bangkok.

Estimates of people buried under the tons of concrete and steel ranged from 30 to 60. At least 80 people, including a U.S. Air Force officer, were killed and up to 350 injured when the hotel collapsed.

Investigators said they would look for evidence of official corruption. Government inspectors are known to take bribes in exchange for approving shoddy construction. - Associated Press

Keywords:
FATALITY

by CNB