Turkey: Evacuated building collapses in Istanbul

By Berk Ozkan

ISTANBUL (AA) - A building evacuated last month for urban transformation in Istanbul collapsed on Friday, with the reason unknown so far, said local officials.

In a statement, Istanbul’s Governorship said the seven-story building collapsed in Bahcelievler district at 2.45 p.m. local time (1145GMT).

Nobody was residing in the building, the statement noted. Police cordoned off the wreckage as a security measure.

"Turkey's National Disaster Management Agency (AFAD) staff, firefighters, police and medical teams were dispatched to the area to join a possible search and rescue activity," said the governorship.

According to the initial reports, no casualties were reported after the collapse, the statement added.

Also, Bahcelievler Mayor Hakan Bahadir confirmed that the building was already evacuated a month ago to be demolished as part of the urban transformation project.

*Writing by Fahri Aksut