Turkey\u2019s Urbanisation Ministry estimates 84,700 buildings have collapsed or are severely damaged
\nIstanbul
\nResidents of a luxury housing complex in southern Turkey thought their apartments were \u2018earthquake-proof\u2019 until the structure toppled like a domino in last week\u2019s devastating earthquake, leaving hundreds feared dead.
\nNow the wreckage of the Ronesans Rezidans, which was advertised as \u201ca piece of paradise\u201d when it opened a decade ago, has become a focus of public anger.
\nSurvivors stand by the pile of debris that was the 249-apartment block waiting for news of loved ones as hopes of their survival fade.
\n\u201cMy brother lived here for ten years… It was said to be earthquake safe, but you can see the result,\u201d said 47-year-old jeweller Hamza Alpaslan.
\n\u201cIt was introduced as the most beautiful residence in the world. It\u2019s in horrible condition. There is neither cement nor proper iron in it. It\u2019s a real hell,\u201d he added.
\nEleven 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.
\nTurkey\u2019s Urbanisation Ministry estimates 84,700 buildings have collapsed or are severely damaged.
\nWhile the Ronesans Rezidans, which translates as \u201cRenaissance Residence\u201d, crumbled, several older buildings near the block still stood.
\n\u201cWe rented this place as an elite place, a safe place,\u201d said Sevil Karaabduloglu, whose two daughters are under the rubble.
\nMissing Ghanaian international footballer Christian Atsu who played for local team Hatayspor is also believed to have lived in the complex.
\nDozens 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.
\n\u201cWho is responsible? Everyone, everyone, everyone,\u201d said Alpaslan, blaming local authorities and building inspectors.
\nThe 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.
\n\u201cThe public is looking for a criminal, a culprit. My client was picked as this culprit,\u201d Coskun\u2019s lawyer Kubra Kalkan Colakoglu told prosecutors, according to court documents seen by Anadolu, adding he denied any wrongdoing.
\nAccording to Anadolu, Coskun told prosecutors the building was solid and held all necessary licences.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Turkey\u2019s 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 \u2018earthquake-proof\u2019 until the structure toppled like a domino in last week\u2019s devastating earthquake, leaving hundreds feared dead. Now the wreckage of the Ronesans Rezidans, which was advertised as \u201ca […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":314585,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-314557","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n