Seven Trapped, Including Child, After Istanbul Building Partially Collapses
Rescue efforts are underway after a seven-story residential building in Istanbul caved in before dawn, with officials warning of further collapse risks.
A seven-story building in Istanbul partially collapsed Thursday, trapping at least seven people, including a 6-year-old child, officials reported.
The collapse occurred before dawn in the Maltepe district on the Asian side of the city. The building's lower three floors, including a ground-floor shop, caved in.
Rescue teams are working to reach those trapped. Davut Gul, the governor of Istanbul, stated that rescuers had made contact with the 6-year-old but were facing difficulties accessing the child and were attempting alternative approaches. Residents from the upper floors were safely evacuated, and five individuals were pulled from the rubble before efforts to reach the remaining seven continued.
The cause of the collapse is under investigation. Governor Gul warned that the building is at risk of further collapse, which is hampering rescue operations. Nearby buildings have also been evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Istanbul is actively engaged in an urban transformation program aimed at replacing older, earthquake-vulnerable structures with safer housing. This initiative seeks to mitigate risks in a city located in a seismically active region.