A state of emergency has been declared in Turkey after a seven-story apartment building collapsed this morning in the Mevlana neighborhood of Gebze, in Kocaeli Province, near Istanbul. Authorities fear that several people may be trapped beneath the debris.

The collapse occurred around 7:30 a.m. on Isikgöl Street, for reasons not yet known. Police, firefighters, AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management Authority) teams, and rescue workers have rushed to the site to locate survivors.

Rescuers Hear Voices Beneath the Rubble

The Governor of Kocaeli, Ilhami Aktas, said investigations into the cause of the collapse are ongoing. He added:

“It is believed that last night a family was inside the building. The mother, father, and their three children are under the debris. The reports are true. Our teams heard a citizen’s voice and continue their rescue work.”

According to initial reports, five people are believed to be trapped. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said the rescue effort is being coordinated by the Kocaeli governor and the mayor of Gebze, while senior AFAD officials are on their way to the site.

A total of 147 rescuers are involved, including 80 AFAD personnel, along with volunteers and municipal workers. The operation includes two trained rescue dogs, eight detection devices, two drones, and 52 vehicles.

Two Families Lived in the Building

Speaking to CNN Türk, Mayor Zinnur Büyükgöz stated that, according to official data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), two families – a total of seven people – lived in the building. However, it has not yet been confirmed whether all were inside at the time of the collapse.

“We hope to have a clearer picture in the coming hours,” he said, adding that the cause of the collapse remains unknown, while all emergency services remain on alert with the assistance of heavy equipment.

Search and rescue operations continue at full pace, while the Kocaeli Governorship has issued a statement expressing wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured and support for the affected families.