Building wall collapses in Istanbul's Nişantaşı, residents mistake noise for earthquake

A loud noise in Istanbul's Nişantaşı neighborhood sent residents scrambling, with many initially believing an earthquake had struck. The sound was caused by a wall collapsing in a six-story building on Halaskargazi Street.

The incident happened around 5 p.m. on a wall of a building situated next to a site where another structure had previously been demolished. Debris from the collapsed wall fell into an empty lot next door. The commotion prompted calls to emergency services.

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Suddenly, when it started raining, there was a loud noise, and we thought it was an earthquake. The rebar also damaged our room. It was a great fear, thank God no one was hurt. Everyone lives in that building, but the person whose wall collapsed is a 97-year-old auntie and she is currently at her summer house. Luckily, she wasn't there. But all the people on the other floors came down saying 'there was an earthquake.'

Authorities found that the apartment whose wall had collapsed belonged to a 97-year-old woman who was not home at the time. Ceylan Ceylan, an employee at a nearby business, described the event: "Suddenly, when it started raining, there was a loud noise, and we thought it was an earthquake. The rebar also damaged our room. It was a great fear, thank God no one was hurt. Everyone lives in that building, but the person whose wall collapsed is a 97-year-old auntie and she is currently at her summer house. Luckily, she wasn't there. But all the people on the other floors came down saying 'there was an earthquake.'"

Residents expressed frustration, with one stating, "The officials said, 'We will get this repaired,' but no one has been around for 3-4 months. Many people are affected."

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The officials said, 'We will get this repaired,' but no one has been around for 3-4 months. Many people are affected.