A devastating fire tore through a 16-storey residential building in Istanbul, resulting in the loss of at least 29 lives, according to the governor of Turkey’s economic capital.
The incident, which initially reported 15 fatalities and eight injuries, unfolded in the Gayrettepe neighborhood of the Besiktas district.
Governor Davut Gul’s office issued a statement, updating the casualty toll and indicating that one individual injured in the blaze remained hospitalized. The fire, which erupted at 12:47 local time (0947 GMT), raged for hours before firefighters managed to bring it under control.
Television broadcasts depicted scenes of flames and thick smoke billowing from upper-floor windows, underscoring the intensity of the inferno. As the day progressed, the number of casualties climbed steadily, with additional victims succumbing to their injuries.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire originated during construction activities on the first and second subterranean levels, where a nightclub was situated, Governor Gul informed reporters. The Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya, announced the launch of an inquiry into the incident.
In a concerning development, five individuals were apprehended at the scene in connection with the blaze, as reported by news channel NTV. The tragic event has cast a pall over Istanbul, leaving behind a somber atmosphere and prompting urgent calls for enhanced safety measures to prevent similar disasters in the future.
