Seven-Story Building Collapses in Istanbul, Trapping Child and Others
Rescue efforts are underway in Istanbul's Maltepe district after a seven-story building partially collapsed, trapping at least seven people, including a 6-year-old child.
Rescuers are working to reach at least seven people trapped inside a seven-story building that partially collapsed in Istanbul on Thursday. Among those trapped is a 6-year-old child.
The collapse occurred before dawn in the Maltepe district on the Asian side of the city. The building's three lower floors, including a ground-floor shop, caved in. Residents from the upper floors were safely evacuated.
Istanbul Governor Davut Gul stated that rescue teams had successfully extracted five individuals from the rubble and continued efforts to reach the remaining seven. Rescuers have made contact with the trapped 6-year-old but have been unable to reach the child due to the current position and are exploring alternative methods.
Officials have warned that the building remains at risk of further collapse, which is complicating rescue operations. Nearby buildings have also been evacuated as a precautionary measure.
The cause of the collapse is currently under investigation. Istanbul is actively engaged in an urban transformation program aimed at replacing older, earthquake-vulnerable structures with safer housing.
