Istanbul demolition collapse injures residents and forces evacuations

During a scheduled urban‑renewal demolition in Esenyurt, Istanbul, an apartment building tilted and fell onto a neighboring three‑storey block. The impact damaged walls of several apartments, including living rooms, balconies and bedrooms. Emergency services – fire, police and municipal crews – arrived promptly and evacuated all occupants from the affected building.

Residents reported that they had warned the demolition operator about the building’s instability, but the work continued. One resident, Berat Yörük, said the machine operator ignored repeated pleas to slow down, causing the collapse that endangered families and damaged six apartments in total.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns over safety standards in Turkish demolition projects linked to urban‑renewal schemes.