Six-Story Building Collapses in Kocaeli’s Gebze District
Gebze
A six-story apartment building collapsed early this morning in the Güzeller neighborhood of Gebze, Kocaeli, for reasons yet to be determined.
Preliminary reports indicate that at least seven people may be trapped beneath the rubble.
Rescue Teams Dispatched to the Scene
Emergency services, including AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management Authority), firefighters, paramedics, and police units, were immediately dispatched to the area.
Search and rescue efforts are currently underway as teams work to reach people who may still be under the debris.
Possible Link to Metro Construction
According to İHA Kocaeli Regional Director Refik Fidan, early reports suggest that the collapse might be linked to ongoing metro construction work in the vicinity.
“There are two floors of shops under the building.
Initial information suggests around seven people could be trapped.
The collapse is believed to be related to the metro construction nearby,” Fidan said.
Mayor Confirms Ongoing Rescue Efforts
Gebze Mayor Zinnur Büyükgöz provided an initial statement following the incident:
“We have information that two families, a total of seven people, were living in the building.
We don’t yet have details on their condition, nor can we confirm whether all were inside at the time of the collapse.
All emergency teams have begun intervention efforts.
There’s no confirmed data yet on when the building was constructed.”