Istanbul Governor Davut Gül shared the latest information on the search and rescue efforts being carried out under the coordination of AFAD at the 7-story building where 3 floors collapsed. Reminding that 2 citizens trapped under the rubble have lost their lives, Governor Gül stated that all resources, including sensitive listening, are being mobilized for the 3 people who have not yet been reached. Stating that work was initiated to remove the excess weight on the rubble due to the increased risk of the building tilting and collapsing, Governor Gül said, "While our search and rescue teams are trying to reach our fellow citizens, they are removing the excess weight with the help of heavy machinery so that the building does not collapse on them. Barriers have been placed at the bottom, just like in mines, to prevent the rubble from pressing downwards. Now, we are striving to reach our 3 fellow citizens through the galleries being opened."
Stating that in addition to the 2 citizens who passed away in the incident, 6 injured people are continuing their treatment in the hospital, Gül noted that none of the injured, one of whom is in serious condition, are in life-threatening danger. Expressing that no contact has been established so far with the 3 citizens aged 20, 40, and 60 who have not been reached, Governor Gül said, "Generators were stopped to ensure silence and sensitive listening was performed, but we have not yet received a result. Our teams are directed toward the estimated points."
Regarding a question about the smoke under the rubble, Governor Gül stated that there is an ongoing fire due to a fabric shop in the building and that the fire department cannot intervene directly due to the structure of the rubble.
Stating that 3 surrounding buildings were evacuated as a precaution in addition to the collapsed building, Governor Gül conveyed that 44 citizens who preferred to stay in a hotel are being accommodated under the coordination of the district governor's office, that other citizens have settled with their relatives, and that the goal is to have the rubble completely removed by tomorrow.
Emphasizing the importance of urban transformation, Governor Gül made the call, "We need to take our precautions before our buildings collapse. Nearly 400 thousand independent units have benefited from our Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change's 'Half from You, Half from Us' campaign. We must eliminate indecision, act faster, and build buildings that will not collapse."
News Source: 12punto
