At least 29 people have tragically lost their lives in a devastating fire that engulfed a 16-storey residential building in Istanbul’s bustling Gayrettepe neighborhood on Tuesday. The governor of Turkiye’s economic capital, Davut Gul, confirmed the grim toll, updating an earlier count of 15 fatalities and eight injuries.
According to Governor Gul’s office, the fire broke out at 0947 GMT, unleashing a torrent of flames and thick smoke from upper-storey windows, as captured by television cameras. It took hours for firefighters to bring the blaze under control, as the number of casualties steadily climbed throughout the afternoon.
Initial investigations revealed that the fire erupted during construction work on the first and second floors below ground, which housed a nightclub within the building. This tragic incident has prompted authorities to launch a thorough inquiry into the cause of the fire, as well as the circumstances surrounding the construction activities.
In response to the catastrophe, five individuals have been apprehended at the scene in connection with the blaze, as reported by news channel NTV. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on X that an official investigation has been initiated to determine the exact causes and responsibilities behind this horrific event.
Istanbul’s newly re-elected mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, swiftly arrived at the scene to assess the situation. “The fire is under control. Let’s hope there are no further victims,” Mayor Imamoglu stated, extending his heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who perished or were injured in the blaze.
As the city mourns the loss of these 29 lives, questions linger about the safety measures in place within residential buildings and the need for stricter regulations to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
