A seven-storey building in Istanbul partially collapsed before dawn on Thursday, killing one person and leaving at least three others trapped, according to officials.
Rescue teams search rubble
The building’s three lower floors, including a ground-floor shop, collapsed in the Maltepe district on the Asian side of Istanbul.
Residents on the upper floors were safely evacuated, while search teams rescued eight people from the rubble. Rescuers also recovered one body and continued efforts to reach three people believed to remain trapped, according to the Interior Ministry.
Earlier, Istanbul Governor Davut Gul said rescuers had made contact with a six-year-old child trapped in the rubble. It was not immediately clear whether the child was among those rescued.
Further collapse hampers rescue
The building collapse prompted warnings that the remaining structure could collapse further, complicating rescue operations.
Nearby buildings were also evacuated as a safety measure, Governor Gul said.
The cause of the collapse was not immediately known, and an investigation was underway.
Turkey tackles ageing buildings
Istanbul and other parts of Turkey are undergoing an urban transformation programme aimed at replacing old and earthquake-risky buildings with safer housing.
The collapse comes as authorities continue efforts to address the risks posed by ageing structures in the country.
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