ISTANBUL, February 17 – A 17-year-old child was injured in Nişantaşı, Istanbul, when plaster pieces detached from a school building and fell onto the pavement. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, February 14, at approximately 2:00 PM, saw the child sustain a head injury. A physically disabled man, Erdal Yalçın, who was selling books from his wheelchair nearby, miraculously escaped unharmed. The moment of the incident was captured by security cameras.
Child Injured, Disabled Man Narrowly Escapes Death
According to information obtained, plaster pieces from the school building began to fall. At that moment, 17-year-old Ö.A.D. was walking on the pavement when the debris struck him, causing a head injury. Erdal Yalçın, who was selling books in his wheelchair on the same pavement, managed to avoid injury.
Emergency health and police teams were dispatched to the scene following the report. Medical personnel provided initial treatment to the child at the site before he was transported by ambulance to Okmeydanı Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşçıoğlu Hospital. It was reported that the child’s life is not in danger. The child is expected to file a complaint after his treatment. The pavement where the plaster fell was cordoned off by municipal police.
‘It Would Have Been a Disaster if School Was Open’
Penbe Akdağ, a witness to the incident, recounted, “A municipal bus passed by. I thought a motorcycle had hit the bus. Then, when I heard a ‘bang’ sound, I saw a child holding his head. There was nothing at that moment, then blood started coming from his head. Shopkeepers and passersby helped him. His hand and face were bloody; they wiped it and pressed a tissue to his head. But the bleeding didn’t stop, and health teams and police arrived. Then they took the child to the hospital, but I don’t know what happened to him. The disabled man was also there; he always stood by the pole, but that day he had moved himself to the base of a tree. He was saved, thank God, nothing happened to him. I can’t imagine what would have happened if school had been open. It would have been a disaster, but we got off lightly. I hope his health is good. It could have happened to any of us. Get well soon to all of us.”
‘I Was Terrified; Things Started Falling From Above’
A flower seller who witnessed the event stated, “I didn’t know, I was at my stall. There was a commotion here. I guess it was a child, I don’t know. It fell on his head, and then they closed the area.” Erdal Yalçın, the disabled man who narrowly escaped, said, “I was there, my father can explain better, I can’t really tell the story. I was terrified, it happened around noon. Things started falling from above. I was in shock. So I can’t explain anything.”
The incident highlights concerns about building safety in urban areas and the potential dangers posed by deteriorating structures. Authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the plaster detachment and take necessary measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Source: hurriyet.com.tr
