On Sunday, two buildings in central Istanbul fell due to a gas explosion in the Fatih district, which led to a rapid search and rescue operation. The explosion took place at about noon and it was very devastating with a number of individuals trapped under the rubble.
At least nine people were initially thought to have been trapped by the explosion, according to officials. Immediately after the incident, emergency response teams such as firefighters, medical units, and disaster management teams came to the rescue to start work.
Davut Gul verified that the rescue of seven individuals who were trapped in the rubble was completed successfully and that they were taken to the nearby hospitals to receive treatment. State media reports later indicated that an eighth person also was pulled alive, and transferred to medical assistance. Officials have informed that no one of the rescued is in a critical condition.
The rescue teams are still trying to find the other individual who is thought to be trapped with the help of specialised equipment that helps in the careful sifting of the debris. During the operation, the officials have called on caution that would prevent additional structural collapse.
Two buildings in question were a two storey residential building and an adjacent structure both which were badly destroyed by the explosion. The precise source of the gas blast has not been ascertained so far and an enquiry has been initiated.
The police have isolated the neighborhood to ensure there is a security and local residents have been evacuated to be on the safe side. The accident has caused issues on the safety of the urban centers and gas infrastructure in highly populated parts of the city.