Police opens criminal investigation into the collapse of Islamabad apartment

Police have opened a criminal investigation into the collapse of an Islamabad apartment block that killed at least 40 residents during Pakistan's monster earthquake, a senior officer said Friday. "We have registered a case against those who constructed this 10-story building in Islamabad," city police chief Sikandar Hayat told The Associated Press.

"We will arrest all those who didn't perform their duty well ... they might be the builders, contractors or supervisors."

The Margalla Towers, one of the most luxurious high-rise apartments in the Pakistani capital, was the only building to collapse in the city during Saturday's 7.6-magnitude quake, which was centered about 90 kilometers (60 miles) to the north. Residents included expatriates and foreign diplomats.

Hayat declined to name those who were under investigation. Earlier, officials said the managing director of the builders of the Margalla Towers, CCC Associates, was among those being sought for questioning, reports the AP. I.L.