The investigation into the Mügeler Site, where 186 people lost their lives and 11 were injured as a result of the collapse of 8 blocks in the Atatürk neighborhood, has been completed. A case has been opened against 15 defendants, 11 of whom are in custody, demanding a prison sentence of up to 22 years and 6 months.
Among the detained defendants are members of the board of directors of the Müge Construction Cooperative Abdullah Buksur, Ali Bertizlioğlu, Bekir Özpolat, the contractor of the building Yusuf İzzetin Aytekin and his wife Serpil Aytekin, as well as the static project author Müslüm Deniz, the static project inspector Talat Cem Gökgöz, building inspection officials Seyfullah Orhan, Gültekin Büyük, building control personnel Bekir Turgay Büyük and Cemil Köseoğlu, as well as the defendants Halil D, Hasan Ö, Hasan Y. and Muzaffer İ. The indictment, which seeks prison sentences ranging from 2 years and 8 months to 22 years and 6 months for the charge of causing the death and injury of multiple individuals due to conscious negligence, was accepted by the İslahiye High Criminal Court.
The indictment indicates that the buildings were constructed between 1994-1997 by proxy, and in 2008 they were licensed as new buildings. The expert report from Karadeniz Technical University in the indictment emphasizes that due to the absence of a ground study, static calculation reports, and a static project during the design phase, the responsibility lies with the building owner or the employer who is responsible for the construction at the time it was actually built.
The report also states that due to insufficient reinforcement detailing and material quality during the construction phase, the building owner, contractor, or employer who is responsible for the construction at the time of construction, as well as the building control unit employees of the municipality, are responsible. The authors of the static project, the responsible company/personnel of the building inspection firm, the static project inspector, and those responsible for project control in the building permits of the municipality are responsible for the actions of insufficient reinforcement detailing in the project phase.
The indictment, which states that all the buildings were completed without a permit (illegally) between 1994-1997, highlights that the buildings were built without following the principles stipulated in the law, without a project, and without appointing a technical supervisor. It is noted that the building was constructed during that period without complying with the regulations and principles in the zoning law. The indictment also mentions that, “Despite the obligation to ensure compliance of the buildings with the current regulations in force at the time of licensing, it has been understood that the licensing procedures were carried out by preparing documents as if a new building was being constructed while avoiding these obligations.”
In conclusion, the case regarding the collapse of the Mügeler Site, which resulted in the loss of 186 lives, has progressed with the opening of a trial against 15 defendants, seeking prison sentences of up to 22 years and 6 months. The investigation revealed that the buildings were constructed illegally and without following regulations, leading to the tragic incident. The responsibility for the collapse has been attributed to various individuals involved in the construction process, including the building owner, contractor, and municipality officials. This case sheds light on the importance of strict adherence to building regulations and safety standards to prevent such disasters in the future.
