A seven-storey apartment building in the northwestern Turkish city of Gebze collapsed, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and leaving three others trapped under the debris. According to officials and state media, the victims were all members of the same family. The Gebze Governor, Ilhami Aktas, confirmed that the casualties included a woman, a man, and their three children.
Rescue operations commenced immediately, involving 627 rescuers who worked tirelessly to locate those trapped. The body of 12-year-old Muhammed Emir Bilir was recovered from the wreckage, while the other victim has not yet been identified, as reported by the state-run TRT news channel.
Potential Causes Under Investigation
The cause of the collapse remains unclear. Local media quoted the Mayor of Gebze, Zinnur Büyükgoz, suggesting that the incident might be linked to ongoing metro construction nearby. This area is also known for its seismic activity, lying along the North Anatolian Fault Line, which significantly impacted the region during the devastating earthquake in 1999 that claimed approximately 18,000 lives.
Experts have long raised concerns regarding Turkey’s adherence to modern construction codes, particularly in earthquake-prone regions. The risks associated with insufficient regulatory enforcement have been highlighted repeatedly. Earlier this year, a four-storey building collapse in Konya resulted in two fatalities, with shopkeepers facing trial for potentially compromising structural integrity by dismantling support columns to create more space.
As the investigation into the Gebze collapse unfolds, the community grapples with the tragic loss of life and the broader implications of building safety standards in Turkey. The incident underscores the urgent need for stringent oversight in construction practices to prevent future tragedies.
