Building Collapses During Demolition in Güngören, Two Adjacent Buildings Evacuated
Istanbul, June 15 – A five-story apartment building undergoing demolition as part of an urban transformation project in Güngören, Istanbul, collapsed on Saturday, June 14, at approximately 4:00 PM. The collapse resulted in damage to the structural columns of two neighboring buildings, necessitating their immediate evacuation. Emergency municipal teams were dispatched to the scene following reports of the incident.
Details of the Incident
The collapse occurred on Özyurt Street in the Merkez District. According to initial reports, the five-story building unexpectedly collapsed during the demolition process. The force of the collapse caused significant damage to the columns of the two adjacent structures. Residents and business owners in the affected buildings immediately reported the incident to authorities.
Municipal teams arrived promptly and initiated the evacuation of individuals from the damaged buildings and ground-floor businesses. It was later revealed that the two affected buildings were also slated for demolition under the same urban transformation project, with work expected to commence in approximately one month.
Eyewitness Accounts
İbrahim Şen, the owner of a business in one of the damaged buildings, recounted the terrifying moments: “I had just opened my shop and sat down at my desk. Suddenly, there was a loud noise, and the ground shook like an earthquake. I grabbed my phone and ran outside, but the area was engulfed in a cloud of dust; visibility was zero. I crossed over to my neighbor’s shop and saw that the entire wall was gone. They told me not to go inside, that an expert would come to assess the damage. They said it might be evacuated or even demolished without further evacuation.”
Bahattin Kuş, whose apartment sustained damage, added: “The existing building needed to be demolished. The demolition company, in agreement with the municipality, was carrying out the demolition work here. The necessary safety precautions were taken under normal circumstances, but the building’s structural and physical resistance was weak. When it collapsed uncontrollably, it damaged the buildings on its right and left. As people were living in these buildings, the municipality, prioritizing control and safety, carried out the evacuation procedures.”
Ongoing Investigations and Future Plans
The incident highlights concerns regarding demolition safety in urban transformation projects. Authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the exact cause of the uncontrolled collapse and assess the integrity of the surrounding structures. The evacuated residents are being provided with temporary accommodation while the situation is being evaluated.
The urban transformation project in Güngören aims to modernize and rebuild older structures in the district, enhancing safety and living standards. However, this incident underscores the importance of stringent safety measures and careful planning during such large-scale projects to prevent unforeseen accidents and ensure public safety.
Further updates on the investigation and the timeline for the demolition of the two evacuated buildings are anticipated in the coming days.
Source: https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/yerel-haberler/istanbul/gungoren/gungorende-yikim-sirasinda-coken-apartman-nede-43205251
