Turkish contractor reports own building project due to faulty concrete

In Malatya, Turkey, a striking incident has emerged from the urban renewal efforts following the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes. The Keleşoğlu construction company, which began building a 105-apartment complex in the Yeşilyurt district, voluntarily reported its own project after discovering critically substandard concrete during internal checks.

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Normally, concrete of C37 quality should resist even breakers for days. But the moment we hit it with a sledgehammer, the main beams and load-bearing columns turn to dust. It's obvious that cement and materials were stolen from within.

Karot (core sample) tests conducted by the construction supervision firm and İnönü University's Faculty of Engineering revealed alarming results. The concrete's strength, required to be at the C37 standard for the project, was found to be as low as C19, and in some sections, as low as C13 and C14. This indicates a significant deficiency in the cement and materials used.

Mustafa Erdoğan, who serves as both a rights holder and the site manager for Keleşoğlu, stated that construction was halted immediately upon discovery. He then formally applied to the Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change to have his own project demolished. Erdoğan demonstrated the poor quality by striking load-bearing columns with a sledgehammer, causing them to crumble into dust. "Normally, concrete of C37 quality should resist even breakers for days. But the moment we hit it with a sledgehammer, the main beams and load-bearing columns turn to dust. It's obvious that cement and materials were stolen from within," he explained.

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The contractor firm, not wanting to bear this responsibility, consciously reported its own construction and initiated the demolition process, stating that it could not continue like this.

Erdoğan expressed frustration over a subsequent expert report indicating C67 quality, contradicting their own tests showing C13-C19. The demolition permit issued by Yeşilyurt Municipality has been temporarily suspended pending an investigation by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and the results of additional karot samples. Erdoğan appealed to authorities, emphasizing that at least 210 people will live in the 105 apartments, and human lives should not be disregarded for profit. He urged for a swift resolution to the legal process to prevent further tragedies.

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There are 105 apartments here, at least 210 people will live here. Human lives cannot be disregarded for the sake of someone making money. We do not want more lives to be lost in this country. We demand that our state elders and relevant authorities speed up this judicial process and resolve the issue as soon as possible.