Storm Debris Crashes into Istanbul Homes, Residents Narrowly Escape Injury

A fierce storm in Istanbul resulted in dangerous flying debris when parts of a roof detached from a five-story building undergoing demolition. The debris, described as planks and roof sections, shot across the street like arrows, embedding themselves into two neighboring buildings – one two-story and one four-story structure.

Residents inside the affected buildings experienced terrifying moments as the debris pierced their roofs and entered their homes. Many narrowly avoided serious injury by quickly moving to other rooms. The incident caused significant material damage to both the buildings and apartments, leaving residents shaken by the near-fatal experience.

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We were looking out the window when the roof of the opposite building suddenly came onto our roof. We were shocked, we got under the tables, the house even shook. Everyone suffered material damage, but it could have been fatal. My brother was sleeping in here, I called him and then this part of the roof collapsed, then we went into the room and got under the table.

One resident, Nisanur Yuşan, recounted the terrifying moment, stating, "We were looking out the window when the roof of the opposite building suddenly came onto our roof. We were shocked, we got under the tables, the house even shook." She added that her brother was sleeping in a room that later collapsed.

Another homeowner, Zeki Tan, criticized the lack of safety measures at the demolition site, attributing the incident to the construction company. "There is fault here from the opposite building, from the contractor, whoever it is. My brother was lying down here, his son was lying on the other side, 11 years old. Suddenly he grabbed his child and threw himself to the other side of the living room. Then I looked and saw trees, wood stuck in the roof," Tan said. The incident also damaged a parked vehicle on the street.

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The opposite building is undergoing urban transformation. They are doing the dismantling, exposing the roof. No precautions are being taken. There is fault here from the opposite building, from the contractor, whoever it is. My brother was lying down here, his son was lying on the other side, 11 years old. Suddenly he grabbed his child and threw himself to the other side of the living room. Then I looked and saw trees, wood stuck in the roof.