Cracks appeared on the walls of a 5-story apartment building on Sırpsındığı Street in Abdurrahman Nafiz Gürman Mahallesi in the morning hours. Upon hearing the sound of cracking, the residents of the building called the municipal police, who were dispatched to the scene. As a precautionary measure, the building was evacuated, and the municipal police took security measures around the building. The residents were allowed to enter the building one by one to retrieve their belongings. Some residents went to stay with relatives, while those without a place to stay were accommodated in temporary housing provided by the Güngören Municipality.
An investigation conducted by the Güngören Municipality teams revealed that the cracks in the building were caused by a problem in the foundation. It was also mentioned that a decision on whether the building will be inhabitable or not will be made after the completion of the inspections. Emine Avcı, one of the residents of the building, described how they woke up to the sound of the building collapsing, saying, “It started around 07.00. Cracking sounds were heard. At first, we thought it was coming from the children. Later on, we realized it was the sound of debris. We were worried. We took the children and got out, warning the neighbors to save themselves. There was no shaking. The sound of the building collapsing came from the building. We only thought about our children. There are 8 apartments and 1 shop.” Another resident, Leyla Sırdaş, recalled the panic of waking up to the noise and barely escaping the collapsing building, expressing disbelief about the cracks being a result of plaster issues and suspecting that they may have to do with the construction site next door.
The incident has left residents shocked and concerned, as they reflect on their narrow escape from potential disaster. The municipal authorities have taken swift action to ensure the safety of the residents and are conducting thorough inspections to determine the extent of the damage and whether the building can be repaired or if it needs to be demolished. The residents, left without a place to live, are being provided temporary accommodations by the Güngören Municipality until a permanent solution can be found. As the investigation continues and the authorities assess the situation, the affected residents are left waiting anxiously for updates on the fate of their building and their future living arrangements. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of regular inspections and maintenance of buildings to prevent such disasters from occurring.
The residents are grateful for their safety but are left to deal with the uncertainty of their living situation and the financial and emotional toll of potentially losing their homes. The authorities are working to ensure that the affected residents are supported during this challenging time and that all necessary measures are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. As the community comes together to support one another, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents in the area. The incident serves as a wake-up call for the importance of building safety and maintenance to prevent such tragedies from happening again in the future.
