On Sunday, March 22, a significant explosion occurred in the Fatih district of Istanbul, leading to the collapse of two adjacent buildings. Authorities confirmed that at least two individuals remain trapped under the debris.
The Turkish Ministry of Interior and Anadolu Agency reported that the blast happened in the morning on Ebe Street, located in the historic center of the city. Emergency services, including police, firefighters, and medical personnel, quickly arrived at the scene to initiate rescue operations.
Governor of Istanbul, Davut Gül, stated that nine people have been rescued from the rubble and transported to hospitals with varying degrees of injuries. Fortunately, none of the injured are reported to be in critical condition.
Rescue efforts continue as at least two individuals are still unaccounted for beneath the wreckage. Gül emphasized the need for precision in the ongoing operation, noting the challenging conditions at the site.
“Currently, we know that, in addition to the nine individuals rescued, two remain trapped. We must work with the utmost care to extract our citizens alive and well. The space is tight, so we have stepped aside for a coordination meeting with our deputy mayor and colleagues. We are assessing the situation,” Gül remarked.
Also present at the scene were the city’s police chief, Selami Yıldız, and the mayor of Fatih, Mehmet Ergün Turan.
The governor indicated that the exact cause of the explosion will be determined later, but preliminary reports suggest a possible natural gas leak.
Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ announced that law enforcement has initiated a judicial investigation into the explosion and the subsequent collapse of the buildings in Fatih.
“Two state prosecutors have been appointed to the investigation led by the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office, and the incident is being thoroughly examined from all angles. We express our gratitude to the rescue teams working tirelessly to reach our citizens trapped under the rubble. We wish a speedy recovery to the injured and are closely monitoring the situation,” Bozdağ stated.
According to Türkiye Today, the Fatih district is often regarded as one of the most vulnerable areas in Istanbul concerning building safety, as many residential structures were constructed long before modern seismic standards were implemented.
The dense construction and soil characteristics add extra pressure, while numerous buildings have not been updated under urban transformation programs. A study by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality identified the district’s housing stock as one of the oldest in the city, with 39,786 structures classified as vulnerable.
Moreover, last year, an abandoned three-story building in the area collapsed following an earthquake.
An explosion in Istanbul's Fatih district led to the collapse of two buildings, with ongoing rescue efforts for trapped individuals. Authorities are investigating the cause, believed to be a gas leak.
Source: Anadolu Agency