Death toll hits 5 after Istanbul building collapse as rescue operations end

The death toll from the collapse of a seven-story building in Istanbul’s Maltepe district rose to five after rescue teams recovered three more bodies from the rubble.

The building’s first three floors collapsed Thursday morning on Dogu Sokak in the Cevizli neighborhood, trapping several people. Rescuers initially recovered two bodies and pulled 10 injured people from the wreckage before finding the three remaining victims.

With all three bodies recovered, emergency crews completed search and rescue operations.

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Crews recover final bodies, clear rubble

Teams working under the coordination of Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) carried out a controlled demolition, working down from the building’s upper floors to reach the remaining sections of the rubble.

Crews then began removing debris, periodically stopping to listen for possible sounds from beneath the wreckage. They recovered three more bodies, bringing the death toll to five.

Rescue workers carried the bodies away from the scene on stretchers. Teams then conducted a final, controlled sweep to check whether anyone else remained beneath the debris before leaving the wreckage area.

Heavy machinery subsequently continued removing rubble. Investigators also collected samples from columns on every floor of the building for examination.

An aerial view of the area as search and rescue efforts are completed at the site of a seven-story building that partially collapsed in the Maltepe district of Istanbul, Türkiye, October 9, 2026. (AA Photo)

Six hospitalized, two detained in probe

Earlier, Istanbul Gov. Davut Gul said six people were receiving hospital treatment, including one in critical condition. The other five were also being treated, but none of the six faced a life-threatening danger at the time.

Authorities evacuated three nearby buildings as a precaution. The district governor’s office arranged hotel accommodation for 44 displaced residents, while others stayed with relatives or made alternative arrangements, Gul said.

As part of the investigation into the collapse, authorities detained the building’s architect and construction site manager. Authorities did not provide further details about the suspects or the possible cause of the collapse.

October 09, 2026 08:47 AM GMT+03:00