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A seven-story residential building collapsed in Gebze district's Mevlana neighborhood on Wednesday. Search and rescue operations are underway, with authorities believing approximately five people are trapped under the rubble.
The building, located on Isikligol Street in Mevlana Neighborhood, collapsed at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday (Oct. 29). The reason for the collapse remains undetermined.
Following reports of the collapse, police, firefighters, AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management Authority), and health teams were immediately dispatched to the scene. Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing at the debris site.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated in an official statement, "Around 7:30 a.m. on Oct. 29, 2025, in the Mevlana neighborhood of the Gebze district, Kocaeli province, a building collapsed on its own. It is believed that five citizens are trapped under the debris. AFAD, the fire brigade, police, 112 Health, and nongovernmental organization (NGO) teams were immediately dispatched to the scene."
"Search and rescue operations continue under the coordination of the governor and municipal mayor," he added.
Governor Ilhami Aktas provided information during a live television broadcast, stating that no clear information had yet been provided on why the building collapsed.
"Currently, search and rescue operations are the priority. Our colleagues are also working on understanding how the incident occurred. Our initial information indicates five people are under the debris. Residents live in the building, but as of today, we have confirmed that five people we believe are in the building are present in the structure. A single family," Governor Aktas stated.
"Our AFAD teams are currently conducting listening operations in the building debris. There has been no contact with these people yet. The information that there are five people inside has been confirmed by their relatives. The building is seven stories," he added.
Governor Aktas noted that AFAD teams are conducting listening operations in the building debris but have not yet made contact with the trapped individuals.
Gebze Municipal Mayor Zinnur Buyukgoz provided additional information during a live television broadcast.
Buyukgoz stated that the Gebze Municipal Search and Rescue (GEAK) and AFAD teams have launched search-and-rescue operations at the collapsed building.
"According to Turkish Statistical Institute records, two families live in the building. A total population of seven people lives there, but whether there are seven people inside or fewer people remains unclear. Hopefully, in the coming hours, we will have clearer information," Mayor Buyukgoz stated.
Mayor Buyukgoz indicated that the reason for the building's collapse remains unknown. He stated that all teams on-site are working with the assistance of heavy machinery.
Interior Minister Yerlikaya provided details on the scale of the rescue operation: "The Deputy Minister of Interior, Deputy Head of AFAD, General Director of Disaster Response, and Head of Search and Rescue Department are proceeding to the incident site."
"A total of 147 search and rescue personnel have been assigned to rescue operations, 80 of them from AFAD, along with NGO and municipal teams," he added.
The rescue operation includes significant resources: "Two search and rescue dogs, eight debris detection devices, two drones, and 52 vehicles are involved in the operations."
Minister Yerlikaya stated, "Search and rescue operations are continuing intensively. I extend my condolences. We will continue to provide information on developments."
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