Two killed after building partially collapses in Turkiye’s Istanbul | News
Eight Rescued from Collapsed Building in Istanbul; Two Confirmed Dead
Eight survivors were rescued from the rubble of a partially collapsed seven-storey building in Istanbul’s Maltepe district, as emergency operations faced delays due to fears of further structural failure.
Istanbul authorities confirmed that at least two people have died following the incident, which occurred early Thursday morning. Emergency crews are still attempting to reach an estimated two individuals who remain trapped inside the debris.
The precise cause of the building’s collapse has not yet been determined, prompting an investigation by local officials. The collapse involved the three lower floors of the structure, including a ground-floor shop, located on the Asian side of the city.
Residents from the upper floors were evacuated safely, and search teams successfully pulled eight survivors from the rubble. Recovery efforts yielded two bodies, and authorities are working diligently to locate the remaining missing persons, according to the Istanbul governor’s office.
Istanbul Governor Davut Gul reported that rescuers had established contact with a 6-year-old child believed to be trapped beneath the debris. It remains unclear whether the child was among those rescued.
Governor Gul cautioned that the building poses a risk of further collapse, complicating ongoing rescue efforts. Nearby buildings have been evacuated as a precautionary measure, he added.
As part of an urban transformation initiative, Istanbul and other areas of Turkey are undertaking projects aimed at replacing older structures that are vulnerable to earthquakes with modern, safer housing.
