01.11.2025 09:23
Concerns continue in the Gebze district of Kocaeli following the collapse of a 7-story apartment building. After cracks appeared in the columns of a nearby building in the evening hours, teams were put on alert. Following an inspection by AFAD, police, and fire brigade teams, a total of 16 buildings were evacuated. The Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, Murat Kurum, visited the area to gather information about the ongoing efforts.
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Due to the sounds coming from the buildings near the collapsed 7-story apartment in the Gebze district of Kocaeli, 16 buildings were evacuated.
THE COLUMNS OF THE 5-STORY BUILDING CRACKED
On October 29, around 07:00, a report was made about the cracking of the columns in the 5-story building on İbrahim Ağa Street in Gaziler Neighborhood, near the collapsed 7-story Arslan Apartment on Issıkgöl Street in Mevlana Neighborhood. Upon the report, police, AFAD, and fire brigade teams were dispatched to the scene.
3 BUILDINGS WERE EVACUATED
After the inspections, 21 apartments in 3 buildings were evacuated. The Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, Murat Kurum, also visited the area to gather information. Minister Kurum made statements to the press following his inspections in the area.
"WE ARE MAKING DETAILED ASSESSMENTS ONE BY ONE"
Wishing God's mercy for the Bilir family who lost their lives in the 7-story Arslan Apartment, and expressing condolences to their relatives, Minister Murat Kurum emphasized that they are thoroughly investigating the causes of the collapse. Kurum continued his remarks as follows:
"We are conducting detailed assessments of all the surrounding buildings with the work of our scientists, AFAD, our Ministry, and the General Directorate of Construction Works. We are conducting a detailed ground investigation here because when we look at the year of construction of the building, it was built in 2012. It has a license, occupancy permit, and has partially received building inspection services. Therefore, we are conducting a detailed study with our professors from Boğaziçi University, Fırat University, Kocaeli University, and Gebze Technical University to determine whether there is a problem related to the ground."
"16 BUILDINGS WERE EVACUATED"
Announcing that 16 buildings in the area have been evacuated as of today, Minister Murat Kurum stated, "In this context, as of today, we have evacuated 16 of our houses. We are currently accommodating our citizens living in these 16 buildings in our guesthouses and hotels. Additionally, to address the grievances of the citizens here, we will provide all necessary support in financial terms through our municipality and governorship to both our tradesmen and the citizens who cannot return to their homes."
"WE ARE EXAMINING THE REQUESTS IN DETAIL"
Minister Murat Kurum also referred to the collapsed apartment in Kartal Orhantepe in 2019, concluding his remarks as follows:
"Of course, you will remember that we lost lives due to a building collapse in Kartal Orhantepe before. We quickly examined the area there, conducted detailed studies, and subsequently took all necessary precautions. Here, we listened to our citizens. We are examining the incoming requests and problems in detail. All necessary work and processes will be carried out in Gebze as well. Our citizens should be assured. Necessary precautions will be taken after the ground investigation, and steps will be taken regarding the buildings that need to be renewed, and we will carry out this process together with Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality and Gebze Municipality. I wish God's mercy for the lives we lost. I once again express my condolences to all of Gebze and Kocaeli. May our heads be held high."
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