In the case of the MCG Tower, which involves 12 people buried, the district governor's office reacted to the decision: It rejected the prosecutor's request.

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In the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, the MCG Tower located in the Çay neighborhood of İskenderun, Hatay, was also destroyed in the earthquake, resulting in the loss of 14 lives.

The İskenderun Chief Public Prosecutor's Office requested permission for an investigation regarding the claim that "some public officials are at fault for allowing high-rise construction" in the incidents of death and injury that occurred as a result of the collapse of the building in question, against İskenderun Municipality construction engineer Tayfun Kaba and other relevant municipal officials.

"IT WAS DECIDED NOT TO GRANT INVESTIGATION PERMISSION"

In the decision dated November 11, signed by İskenderun District Governor Muhammet Önder, it was stated that no investigation permission was granted for İskenderun Municipality construction engineer Tayfun Kaba. The decision was newly communicated to the families. In the decision obtained by ANKA News Agency, it was stated that the expert report prepared by faculty members of Konya Technical University was referenced, and it was noted:

"In the expert report prepared by the expert committee consisting of faculty members from Konya Technical University assigned by the İskenderun Chief Public Prosecutor's Office; 'Although there are some minor engineering faults in the architectural and static reinforced concrete projects of the building in question, it has been observed that it was designed in accordance with the conditions of the TDY-2007 Earthquake Regulation. İskenderun district of Hatay province is located in a 1st degree earthquake zone according to the TDY-2007 regulation. The static project of the building in question was prepared while the TDY-2007 regulation was in effect. Therefore, the design earthquake ground acceleration used in calculations was 0.4g. In the Kahramanmaraş Pazarcık earthquake on February 6, 2023, the ground acceleration value measured in İskenderun by AFAD reached 0.7g. For this reason, although all calculations made while preparing the static project were in accordance with the regulation, the forces that emerged during the earthquake showed that the TDY-2007 Regulation was insufficient for the earthquake. One of the main reasons for the collapse of the MCG Tower building located in the Çay neighborhood of İskenderun, Hatay province, is the magnitude of the strong ground motion that occurred during the Kahramanmaraş Pazarcık and Elbistan earthquakes on February 6, 2023. Other reasons include the incomplete, faulty, and unmonitored implementation of the jet grout ground improvement recommended in the geotechnical report of the existing structure, along with the existing zoning situation allowing high-rise construction regardless of ground conditions.' It was evaluated that since the static project of the building was approved by construction engineer Tayfun Kaba on behalf of İskenderun Municipality, and it was understood from the examination of the expert report that although there were some minor engineering faults in the architectural and static reinforced concrete projects of the building in question, it was designed in accordance with the conditions of the TDY-2007 Earthquake Regulation, it was decided not to grant investigation permission for construction engineer Tayfun Kaba."

"WE WILL NOT GIVE UP ON THE PROCESS"

The families of the MCG Tower case announced that they would appeal the decision of the İskenderun District Governorate, stating:

"The İskenderun District Governorate's District Legal Affairs Office signed a scandalous decision on November 11, 2024. According to the document signed by the governor, no investigation permission was granted for public officials in the MCG Tower case. The MCG Tower, which is a three-year-old building, collapsed in the February 6 earthquakes. It was expected that public officials would be prosecuted in this matter. However, no investigation permission was granted regarding the prosecution of public personnel. Interestingly, while an evaluation was made only for one public personnel, it was decided not to grant investigation permission for municipal employee Tayfun Kaba, citing that the actions taken were in accordance with the 2007 Earthquake Regulation. At the same time, the municipal official who was not granted investigation permission is the person who approved the static project.

The document prepared by the district governorate relied on the expert report prepared by Konya Technical University. In this report, the earthquake's acceleration value was inaccurately assessed as 0.7g. However, the closest measured station value for MCG Tower is within the limits of the Earthquake Regulation. It is stated that Konya Technical University distorted the truth based on the 0.7g acceleration value. According to AFAD data, it was determined that the acceleration was 0.17g, and these findings have been previously submitted to the court. As families who lost their loved ones in this matter, we will exercise our right to appeal to the Regional Court of Appeals. We will not give up on the process. We will not cease our struggle until all responsible parties are prosecuted and punished, and until public officials receive the necessary penalties."