The residents of the neighborhood where the disaster occurred spoke: We heard the explosion, I thought it was a bomb.

The residents of the neighborhood where the disaster occurred spoke: We heard the explosion, I thought it was a bomb.

22.03.2026 20:41

In Fatih, Istanbul, two buildings collapsed due to a natural gas explosion, while local residents recounted their horror stories. A citizen named Reyhan Özçalışkan, who lives in the neighborhood where the explosion occurred, said, "We heard the explosion, I thought it was a bomb. It was such a loud explosion."

Residents speaking about the incident in Fatih, Istanbul, where two buildings collapsed due to a natural gas explosion, described experiencing great panic.

In the Ayvansaray neighborhood, following the natural gas explosion and the collapse of two buildings, 11 people were trapped under the rubble. During the ongoing efforts, the lifeless body of one citizen was reached. As a result of the work carried out by the teams, all citizens were rescued from the debris.

INJURED PERSONS UNDERGOING TREATMENT

While the teams completed their work at the site, the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the incident is ongoing. The treatments of the citizens injured in the explosion are continuing.

"WE HEARD THE EXPLOSION, I THOUGHT IT WAS A BOMB"

Resident Necat Cankurtaran, who spoke about the incident, said, "I was sleeping and woke up to the sound. We came and saw that everything was in ruins. My uncle lives in one of them. He was in the hospital, and we heard that he was doing well."

A resident named Reyhan Özçalışkan, who lives in the neighborhood where the explosion occurred, stated, "We heard the explosion, I thought it was a bomb. It was such a loud explosion. Then everyone came out to the door. Everyone was looking at each other. And the birds started flying loudly in the sky. Then we came here, everyone came. They say it was a natural gas explosion."

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