Defense from inspection officer of building collapsed in Hatay: 'I never inspected the structure'

In the investigation into the collapse of a 10-story apartment building in Hatay during the February 6 earthquakes, an inspection officer from the building control firm, who was arrested, claimed that he never inspected the building and that the signature on the concrete pouring report was forged to resemble his own.

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Defense from inspection officer of building collapsed in Hatay: 'I never inspected the structure'

The testimonies of I.A., a static project and implementation inspector, and C.C., a civil engineer and inspection officer at the same building control firm, have been obtained regarding the investigation into the collapse of the Gökkuşağı Apartment in the Ekinci neighborhood of Hatay's Antakya district during the Kahramanmaraş-centered disaster, which resulted in the loss of 99 lives.

In his statement, C.C. claimed that he worked for the firm but that his area of responsibility was the Erzin and Dörtyol districts.

Denying the accusations against him, C.C. stated, "I never inspected the apartment from its construction to its completion phase. During the years the building was being constructed, I was working on the construction of a natural gas combined cycle power plant in Erzin. I did not know that I was responsible for the construction of this building."

''I NEVER INSPECTED IT''

Regarding his signature on the concrete pouring report, C.C. defended himself by saying, "I never signed documents related to a building whose construction I did not inspect. When asked if the signature on the concrete pouring report for the construction belonged to me, I said the signature looked like mine, but I never inspected this building. I do not know if I have a signature on other documents or not."

The suspect's lawyer also claimed that his client did not assume responsibility for the construction and that the signature on the report did not belong to him.

Project inspector I.A. also claimed he had no fault, asserting, "I have no duty, authority, or responsibility regarding what deficiencies existed in the construction of the building."

C.C. and I.A., who were detained as part of the investigation conducted by the Hatay Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Earthquake Crimes Investigation Bureau regarding the collapse of the Gökkuşağı Apartment, were arrested on October 10.

News Source: AA