Konya building collapse due to ground floor column being cut: Interior Minister

A building in Konya collapsed, causing two fatalities, because a column was cut during expansion work at a fishmonger’s on the ground floor in the evening hours of Friday.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, on Saturday, confirmed that authorities are investigating the allegations, stating, “Each of these claims is being documented by our prosecutors, and an investigation is underway. If proven true, the necessary actions will be taken.”

Yerlikaya also announced that four individuals, including two property owners and two shop owners, have been arrested.

Collapse and casualties

The incident took place in the Selcuklu district of Konya, where a three-story building collapsed. Search and rescue efforts led to the discovery of the bodies of Emine Mustafa and her husband, Turki Muhammed, while three others were rescued with injuries.

A total of 962 personnel were mobilized for the search and rescue effort.

The Konya Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation, with a prosecutor deputy and two prosecutors assigned to the case. Four suspects, allegedly responsible for the collapse, were arrested.

The fish shop on the ground floor, which had recently opened, is suspected to have undergone expansion work, during which a column may have been cut.

“We confirmed that five people were inside the building. Rescue dogs and our teams, using radar equipment, managed to extract two of our Syrian brothers within five hours. A third person was rescued in good health. Unfortunately, we also found the lifeless bodies of a married couple. We are deeply saddened.”

Search and rescue efforts conclude

Yerlikaya added that, at this stage, no further alerts had been received, “We have verified that no additional people are under the rubble, and there were no other reports of people being trapped. We have concluded the search and rescue efforts and are now transitioning to controlled demolition of the wreckage.”

‘Property and shop owners arrested’

Responding to questions about the allegations that a column was cut during the expansion work at the fish shop, Yerlikaya said, “This morning, the Ministry of Justice made a statement. Two of the property owners and two of the shop owners on the ground floor have been arrested.

Authorities are also examining whether there are risks related to the adjacent buildings. Each of these allegations is being documented by our prosecutors, and they are investigating the matter. If the allegations are true, appropriate actions will be taken.”

The investigation into the collapse continues, and the authorities are focused on determining the causes of the incident and holding those responsible accountable.