‘Prophet’ accused of profiteering
A popular blogger who hides his identity from the media has sent many Taiwanese into a frenzy after predicting that a magnitude-14 earthquake will strike the island on May 11. “Teacher Wang” has suggested that people will only survive the resultant 170-metre high tsunami if they hide out in cargo containers in the mountains. More than 100 of the containers have been bought and outfitted with doors, windows and air conditioning in preparation for the disaster. They’re on sale for $5,600, courting accusations of profiteering by the mystery ‘prophet.’ Earthquake fears are running high in Taiwan, which suffered a magnitude-7.4 quake in 1999, killing 2,400 people.