Turkey’s Urbanisation Ministry estimates 84,700 buildings have collapsed or are severely damaged
Istanbul
Residents of a luxury housing complex in southern Turkey thought their apartments were ‘earthquake-proof’ until the structure toppled like a domino in last week’s devastating earthquake, leaving hundreds feared dead.
Now the wreckage of the Ronesans Rezidans, which was advertised as “a piece of paradise” when it opened a decade ago, has become a focus of public anger.
Survivors stand by the pile of debris that was the 249-apartment block waiting for news of loved ones as hopes of their survival fade.
“My brother lived here for ten years… It was said to be earthquake safe, but you can see the result,” said 47-year-old jeweller Hamza Alpaslan.
“It was introduced as the most beautiful residence in the world. It’s in horrible condition. There is neither cement nor proper iron in it. It’s a real hell,” he added.
Eleven days after the quake that killed more than 43,000 in Turkey and Syria and left millions homeless, outrage is growing over what Turks see as corrupt building practices and deeply flawed urban developments.
Turkey’s Urbanisation Ministry estimates 84,700 buildings have collapsed or are severely damaged.
While the Ronesans Rezidans, which translates as “Renaissance Residence”, crumbled, several older buildings near the block still stood.
“We rented this place as an elite place, a safe place,” said Sevil Karaabduloglu, whose two daughters are under the rubble.
Missing Ghanaian international footballer Christian Atsu who played for local team Hatayspor is also believed to have lived in the complex.
Dozens of people Reuters interviewed in the city of Hatay, where the complex stood, accused contractors of using cheap or unsuitable material and authorities of showing leniency towards sub-standard building constructions.
“Who is responsible? Everyone, everyone, everyone,” said Alpaslan, blaming local authorities and building inspectors.
The developer of the complex, Mehmet Yasar Coskun, was arrested at Istanbul Airport as he prepared to board a plane for Montenegro last Friday evening, according to Turkish state news agency Anadolu.
“The public is looking for a criminal, a culprit. My client was picked as this culprit,” Coskun’s lawyer Kubra Kalkan Colakoglu told prosecutors, according to court documents seen by Anadolu, adding he denied any wrongdoing.
According to Anadolu, Coskun told prosecutors the building was solid and held all necessary licences.
