An explosion occurred on the fifth floor of a building in the Şirinevler neighborhood of Bahçelievler district in Istanbul, resulting in at least 2 fatalities and 4 people injured, one of them severely.
Police, health, and firefighting teams have been dispatched to the scene.
Security forces have closed off the street, and municipal and Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) teams have begun work inside the building.
As a result of the explosion, debris from the building fell onto some vehicles in the vicinity, and the windows of some nearby buildings were shattered.
A tree on the street also toppled onto a vehicle due to the force of the explosion.
Mayor: Natural Gas Explosion
Bahçelievler Mayor Hakan Bahadır mentioned on a live program that a natural gas explosion occurred on one of the streets, leading to a subsequent fire.
Bahadır informed that firefighting, health, and municipal teams have been dispatched to the area, and the fire department is actively tackling the fire. He also noted that the building where the explosion occurred is close to the municipality's main building.
Describing the explosion as very loud, Bahadır said, "I even thought, 'Did the building collapse or was there some kind of demolition?' We sent colleagues, and they said it was related with natural gas and on the top floor."
Bahadır stated that the fire department has taken necessary precautions to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent buildings and that some residents in the area have been evacuated.
Governor's statement
Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, in a social media post had previously stated, "In the explosion that occurred on the 5th floor of a building in Şirinevler neighborhood, Bahçelievler, and is believed to be caused by a natural gas leak, preliminary findings indicate that at least one person was killed, and a total of 4 people have been injured, 2 of them severely."
Governor Gül also mentioned that an investigation has been initiated regarding the incident.
(VC/PE)
