Kahramanmaras Earthquake Building Collapse Trials Extended to 2026

After the February 6 2023 earthquakes that devastated Kahramanmaras, several criminal trials concerning collapsed residential buildings have been ongoing. The Palmiye Sitesi collapse that killed 152 people resulted in contractor Hacı Mehmet Ersoy being sentenced to 18 years, later seeking release on health grounds; his case remains under appeal. The Bad‑ı Saba Konutları A‑Block, where 42 people died, and the Ebrar Sitesi K‑Block, where 76 people perished, are also being tried for “conscious negligence causing death or injury.” Courts have repeatedly postponed hearings, most recently moving them to 1 October 2026 (Bad‑ı Saba) and 11 September 2026 (Ebrar Sitesi). Defendants include contractors, engineers, and municipal officials; prosecutors request up to 22 years in prison for each.

In nearby Malatya, the 150‑year‑old municipal hamam that suffered severe damage in the same quakes is being restored. A 126‑million‑lira reconstruction program aims to complete the work by December 2026 and reopen the facility in 2027, according to local officials.