Three lower floors of seven‑storey building collapse in Maltepe — five rescued

Early on Thursday morning at about 05:40, the lower three floors of a seven‑storey residential and commercial building collapsed in the Maltepe neighbourhood of Istanbul's Cevizli area. Emergency teams pulled five people from the rubble, including two children, and transported them to hospital.

Rescue operation and immediate findings

Firefighters, police, search-and-rescue teams from the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and medical crews were dispatched to Doğu Street after the collapse. Rescuers first evacuated residents who remained in undamaged upper apartments, then began searching the debris with the help of sniffer dogs.

Officials found that a textile workshop on the ground floor had been empty at the moment of the collapse. During the operation a firefighter became unwell and was taken to receive medical attention.

Istanbul Governor Davut Gul said the building was constructed in 1987 and comprised a ground‑floor commercial space and six residential floors with a total of 12 apartments. According to official records, 33 people were registered at the address.

The collapse affected four apartments on the first three floors; 14 people were registered in those units. Authorities report that two registered residents were not in Istanbul at the time, five were rescued, contact was established with four residents, and searches continue for three others. Gul said it was estimated that there could still be up to seven people under the rubble, but the figure was not final because there may have been guests or residents who were not registered as present in the building.

Gul added that none of the rescued persons were in life‑threatening condition. Search teams continue to work at the scene as authorities try to account for all residents registered at the address.

Photo: press material from the event