Two people were killed after a seven-storey building partially collapsed in Istanbul. Rescue teams searched the rubble for possible survivors.
Istanbul Building Collapse: Two Killed as Rescue Teams Search Rubble
At least two people have died after a seven-storey building partially collapsed in Istanbul, Türkiye, raising fresh concerns about the safety of older and potentially earthquake-prone buildings in the city.
The incident happened before dawn on Thursday in the Maltepe district on Istanbul’s Asian side. Three lower floors of the building, including a shop at street level, suddenly gave way, sending large amounts of concrete and debris into the surrounding area.
Emergency services immediately launched a search and rescue operation as authorities feared that several people could still be trapped beneath the rubble. Rescue teams worked through the damaged structure while officials warned that the remaining sections of the building could also collapse.
According to the Istanbul governor’s office, rescuers recovered the bodies of two people from the debris. At least two others were still believed to be trapped as rescue operations continued.
Rescue Operation Underway in Istanbul
Emergency crews faced difficult conditions while searching the collapsed building. The possibility of further structural failure made it dangerous for rescuers to move through parts of the site.
Authorities evacuated residents from the upper floors of the building after the collapse. Nearby buildings were also cleared as a precaution while engineers and emergency officials assessed the situation.
Rescue teams managed to remove eight people from the rubble alive, according to officials. Earlier, Istanbul Governor Davut Gul said rescuers had established contact with a six-year-old child believed to be trapped beneath the debris.
It was not immediately confirmed whether the child was among the people who were later rescued.
The search continued as emergency workers carefully removed rubble and attempted to locate anyone who might still be alive. Rescue operations can become increasingly challenging when damaged structures remain unstable, particularly in densely populated urban areas such as Istanbul.
Building Collapse Raises Safety Concerns
The exact cause of the Istanbul building collapse was not immediately known. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine why the lower floors of the seven-storey structure failed.
Investigators are expected to examine the building’s construction, structural condition, maintenance history and any recent work carried out on the property.
The collapse has also highlighted long-standing concerns over building safety in Istanbul. The city sits in a region exposed to significant earthquake risk, and many older buildings have been identified as requiring strengthening or replacement.
Istanbul has been carrying out an urban transformation programme aimed at replacing vulnerable buildings with safer structures. The programme has become an important part of efforts to reduce the potential impact of a major earthquake on the city.
Istanbul’s Earthquake Risk
Istanbul is one of Türkiye’s largest and most densely populated cities, with millions of people living across both sides of the Bosporus Strait. Its location near major seismic fault lines has made earthquake preparedness and building safety major concerns for local authorities.
Older residential and commercial buildings can pose particular risks when their structures have deteriorated or were constructed under outdated safety standards.
The latest building collapse occurred without an immediately confirmed earthquake, and officials had not announced a definitive reason for the structural failure. The ongoing investigation will determine whether construction problems, structural weakness, renovation work or another factor contributed to the incident.
Authorities Continue Search for Survivors
Rescue workers remained at the scene as authorities attempted to determine whether additional people were trapped beneath the collapsed floors. Safety officials were also monitoring the remaining structure to prevent further injuries or loss of life.
The deaths have added urgency to discussions about building inspections and urban renewal in Istanbul. For residents living in older buildings, the incident is another reminder of the importance of structural safety and earthquake preparedness.
Authorities are expected to provide further information as the rescue operation and investigation progress.
For now, emergency crews remain focused on the search for possible survivors while engineers assess the stability of the damaged building and surrounding properties. The identities of the victims and further details about the circumstances surrounding the collapse are expected to be released by officials as the investigation continues.
