Two buildings collapse in Istanbul

ISTANBUL

Two five-story buildings collapsed in central Istanbul’s historic Beyoglu district on Friday.

The collapse at around 2 p.m. local time (1200GMT) left a large pile of rubble in a street close to Istiklal Caddesi, the main pedestrianized shopping thoroughfare that leads to Taksim Square.

Istanbul Governor Vasip Sahin said nobody was inside either building when they fell amid a cloud of dust. He said further searches would be carried out and an investigation launched.

Nearby car park attendants warned bystanders to run when the felt the buildings -- a hotel and a warehouse -- shake, preventing a major disaster Beyoglu Mayor Ahmet Misbah Demircan said.

Nearby buildings were later evacuated, he added.

Sahin told reporters at the scene that only one resident was in the hotel and escaped unharmed.

ISTANBUL

Two five-story buildings collapsed in central Istanbul’s historic Beyoglu district on Friday.

The collapse at around 2 p.m. local time (1200GMT) left a large pile of rubble in a street close to Istiklal Caddesi, the main pedestrianized shopping thoroughfare that leads to Taksim Square.

Istanbul Governor Vasip Sahin said nobody was inside either building when they fell amid a cloud of dust. He said further searches would be carried out and an investigation launched.

Nearby car park attendants warned bystanders to run when the felt the buildings -- a hotel and a warehouse -- shake, preventing a major disaster Beyoglu Mayor Ahmet Misbah Demircan said.

Nearby buildings were later evacuated, he added.

Sahin told reporters at the scene that only one resident was in the hotel and escaped unharmed.