World

Seven‑Storey Building in Istanbul’s Maltepe District Partially Collapses, Two Fatalities Reported

By AP

A seven‑storey building in Istanbul’s Maltepe district on the Asian side of the city partially collapsed, killing at least two people, officials said. The collapse occurred before dawn, with the building’s three lower floors, including a ground‑floor shop, caving in. Residents on the upper floors were evacuated safely, and search teams rescued eight people from the rubble. Emergency crews recovered two bodies and were attempting to reach two others who were believed to be trapped inside. Istanbul Governor Davut Gül reported that rescuers had made contact with a 6‑year‑old child in the rubble, though it was unclear if the child was among those rescued. The governor warned that the building was at risk of further collapse, which has slowed rescue operations. Nearby buildings were also evacuated for safety. The incident comes as Istanbul and other parts of Turkey pursue an urban transformation programme aimed at replacing old, earthquake‑prone structures with safer housing.