Landslide in Sarıyer: 6 buildings evacuated

A landslide that occurred in the evening hours in Sarıyer caused brief panic in the neighborhood. The incident, which took place on 108th Street in the Ayazağa neighborhood, was caused by ground shifting in the garden area of a building due to the impact of heavy rainfall.

It is alleged that the sliding mass of soil was dragged onto houses located approximately 20 meters below. Neighborhood residents, who first reported the situation to the Sarıyer Municipality, applied to the Presidential Communication Center (CİMER) this time, believing that sufficient intervention had not been carried out.

Following the complaint, police and AFAD teams were dispatched to the region along with Sarıyer Municipality teams.

EVACUATION ORDER FOR 6 BUILDINGS

AFAD teams conducted an inspection in the area where the landslide occurred. Upon the detection of risk during the assessment, an evacuation order was issued for a total of 6 buildings on the street. While the buildings were sealed, security measures were taken in the surrounding area.

REACTION FROM NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS

Residents, reacting to the sudden evacuation order, argued that they had been voicing the same problem for a long time but that the necessary precautions had not been taken. Stating that they were forced to vacate their homes in a short time, the citizens expressed that they were having difficulty finding a place to stay.

Building resident Elmas Yalkın reacted to the process, saying, "Most of this street is built on a cliff. For 20 years, pressure has been put on the municipalities—first the Şişli Municipality and now the Sarıyer Municipality—to build a retaining wall on this street. As a result of this heavy rain, a landslide occurred here. We informed the municipality that a retaining wall should be built here. The municipality came, and everything happened in one day. The municipality came while I had food on the stove at home, knocked on my door, and told me I had to vacate my house. They said it was a risky area and that I had to vacate the house. I said, 'We live here, how can we leave immediately?' We are currently on the street. They put tape in certain places. We are not getting any feedback regarding the retaining wall that needs to be built, and we are not getting any even after the incident that occurred."

"THERE IS NO REPORT"

Yalkın stated that no official report had been presented to them regarding the process, saying, "There is no report, there is no soil survey sent to us. Our door was knocked on and we were told to vacate your house."