Istanbul, Turkey— A high-rise building collapsed Wednesday in Turkey, trapping multiple victims under rubble and triggering a frantic rescue operation. Emergency crews worked with heavy machines and bare hands.
World Emergency News reported the collapse at around 3:15 p.m. local time in a densely built district. The building, described as seven stories with shops on the ground floor, fell inward onto itself. Dust clouded the street for blocks.
AFAD, Turkey's disaster agency, said at least nine people were inside at the time. Three were pulled out alive in the first hour. Neighbors said they heard a loud cracking sound before floors pancaked. One shopkeeper said the building shuddered, then dropped.
Rescue teams brought in excavators, concrete cutters and search dogs. Workers formed a human chain to remove debris bucket by bucket. A thermal camera detected heat signals under two sections of slab. The signals have not been confirmed as survivors.
Officials cordoned off three surrounding buildings for risk of secondary collapse. Gas and electricity were cut to the block. Families of missing residents gathered behind police tape, shouting names and showing photos to rescuers.
The building was reportedly more than 30 years old and had undergone unlicensed renovation on the lower floors. Istanbul municipality said it had issued a warning about load-bearing walls last year. Prosecutors have opened a file and seized construction permits.
AFAD said aftershocks from recent tremors in the Marmara region may have weakened the structure, but the primary cause appears structural. Engineers will test concrete samples. The owner of the ground-floor supermarket is being questioned.
By nightfall crews had cleared two stairwells but had not reached the basement where two workers were believed trapped. Floodlights were set up. An ambulance stood by with engines running. The mayor said work would continue through the night.
The rescue remains active. Officials have not given a final number of missing and say the count may change as families come forward.
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