ALBAWABA - An explosion thought to be connected to natural gas caused two nearby buildings in Istanbul's Fatih neighborhood to fall on Sunday, sparking a massive emergency reaction and continuing rescue efforts.
The two nearby buildings in the Ayvansaray area are said to have collapsed as a result of the explosion, which happened around noon. Shortly after receiving reports, emergency personnel, including police, firemen, medical teams, and disaster response units, raced to the area.
Nine individuals were rescued alive from the debris and sent to hospitals for medical attention, according to authorities. According to officials, their wounds are not thought to be fatal. Search and rescue personnel are still working to reach the two people who are thought to be trapped beneath the rubble.
Following the collapse, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül first said that a number of individuals had been trapped and that crews were working hard to find others who were still missing.
Officials emphasized that the precise cause has not yet been established, despite early signs suggesting a potential natural gas explosion. After rescue efforts are finished, a thorough technical examination will be carried out to identify the explosion's origin, according to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM).
The Ministry of Justice declared that prosecutors have been tasked with conducting an official inquiry into the incident's circumstances.
As wounded people were evacuated on stretchers and transported to ambulances, several locals helped rescue teams as emergency personnel worked through the wreckage, according to photos from the site.
As rescue efforts advance and more information becomes available, authorities said they will keep providing updates.
