Building partial collapse in Istanbul's Maltepe district

A search and rescue operation is underway in the Cevizli neighborhood of Istanbul's Maltepe district following the partial collapse of a seven-story residential building. The incident occurred at approximately 05:40 local time on Thursday, October 8, 2026, when the lower three levels of the structure collapsed. The building, constructed in 1987, contained 12 apartments and housed 33 registered residents.

Emergency teams, including firefighters, police, and units from AFAD and UMKE, are actively searching for individuals trapped beneath the rubble. While reports vary regarding the exact number of survivors, Istanbul Governor Davut Gul confirmed that several people have been pulled from the wreckage alive. Initial reports indicated five rescues with seven people missing, while subsequent updates from local media suggest the number of rescued individuals has risen to six. Residents from the unaffected upper floors have been safely evacuated.

Authorities are currently investigating the causes of the collapse. While the upper portions of the building remained standing, they are reported to be in an unstable condition, leading to a large-scale emergency response to secure the site and locate any remaining trapped occupants.