Citizens affected by landslide in Gaziosmanpaşa are anxious: 'We fear the houses will collapse if it happens again...'

A landslide occurred in Gaziosmanpaşa yesterday (19.04.2024). In the incident, where 30 buildings were evacuated, 114 citizens living in the homes were placed in hotels or with their relatives.

Following the incident, the residents of the buildings described the moments of fear. Meanwhile, it was observed that landslides were still occurring in the area from time to time.

"IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, THE HOUSES WILL COLLAPSE..."

Nazlıcan Akdeniz, whose house was evacuated due to the landslide, said, “My mother was home alone. She called and told me. This is the first time I have encountered such a situation. After the soil below slid and the houses below were damaged, we were inevitably affected as well. There is no damage to our house, but we are panicking regardless. They helped us enough yesterday to come and get our things. They told us they had arranged a hotel for us, but we wanted to stay with our family. They said they would come and check again today. That is what the Mayor of Gaziosmanpaşa said yesterday.

Even if ours wasn't, our neighbors' houses were damaged. It is unclear whether our house will also be damaged. We are very worried about this. It has been 5 years since the work began. They said they would take over this place after completing the 2nd phase, but we experienced such a problem before it was finished. We are not thinking of entering our house until the situation is completely clear. We are hesitant because we fear the houses will collapse if it happens again. Yesterday, the deputy mayor said something to the effect of, 'You will cover half the rent of the house you rent, and we will cover the other half.'”

"IF THE SLIDING IS NOT PREVENTED..."

Ceren Çelik, who lives on the same street, said, “It is being said that all the houses from here to the beginning of the street will be evacuated as a precaution. Because the ground here is rocky, a lot of space was opened up. It was said that housing complexes would be built there. There are about 70 households here. Since there are adjacent shanty houses here, there are gaps as wide as columns. We didn't hear any sound. It was said that a cracking sound came from our neighbor's house across the street. They evacuated us because a gap of about 1-2 centimeters began to form due to the landslide. The deputy mayor is here, and our district governor and neighborhood headman have arrived. They are working. We don't have a problem right now. If they can prevent the sliding below, this place will not be touched. If the sliding is not prevented, it is said that the evacuation of this area up to the beginning of the other street is expected.”

News Source: İHA