Expert evaluates the building collapse in Gebze

Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl evaluated the building collapse in Gebze that caused the death of four members of the same family. He stated, “Such buildings generally do not collapse on their own. Every building has static and architectural plans and is constructed with permits from the municipality. Unfortunately, when scientific and technical standards are ignored, we face similar tragedies.”

Warning citizens to pay close attention to cracks in buildings, Asst. Prof. Bingöl said, “If there is a crack in the building, a structural test must be conducted. If you can insert your finger or hand into the crack, the building is dangerous and must be evacuated immediately. Even small cracks can worsen within a few months, so waiting is risky.”

Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Üsküdar University and OHS Specialist Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl shared his assessment of the collapse in Gebze that claimed four lives.

Such incidents have become “a familiar tragedy”

Asst. Prof. Bingöl noted that similar incidents have become “a familiar tragedy” in Türkiye, saying, “A similar building collapse occurred in Konya before. These types of buildings do not simply fall apart on their own. They are built with static and architectural plans and receive municipal permits. However, when scientific and technical principles are ignored, we unfortunately face the same painful outcomes.”

Possible column removal

Pointing out that column removal is often the most critical cause of collapses in Türkiye, Asst. Prof. Bingöl said, “We frequently see columns being cut to create more space on the ground floor, such as for car galleries or bakeries. Doing so disrupts the building’s structural integrity. The resulting weakness on the cut side, combined with minor earthquakes or soil movement, can cause the building to lose its strength and collapse. I am not saying this is exactly what happened here, but in my opinion, column removal seems to be a likely cause.”

Inspection failures

Asst. Prof. Bingöl emphasized that such violations are not limited to contractors or building owners: “We are also falling short in inspections. There are not enough inspectors, or conditions may be altered after the inspection. For example, according to fire regulations, a building must have two escape routes, yet sometimes a staircase is later incorporated into a private apartment. These situations are fatal oversights. The prosecutor’s office has already launched an investigation, and the results will clarify what happened. We must learn from these mistakes. We experience such incidents repeatedly. Every year, one or two buildings collapse on their own.”

If Hagia Sophia still stands, why do our buildings collapse?

Asst. Prof. Bingöl stressed that the age of a building alone cannot explain why it collapses: “People immediately ask whether the building was old. Yet, if Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque are still standing, a 50-year-old building cannot be considered old. The real problem is that we do not construct buildings according to proper standards or we later alter their structure.”

Cracks are warning signs

Warning citizens to be vigilant about cracks in buildings, Asst. Prof. Bingöl said, “If a crack appears, a structural test must be carried out. If a finger or hand fits into the crack, the building is unsafe and should be evacuated immediately. Even for small cracks, waiting a few months can be risky. Urban transformation must accelerate, and solutions must be found urgently. Residents can request a core test from their municipality, which measures the concrete’s strength. A minimum of C25 strength is required, but in many buildings constructed before the 1990s, concrete quality is found to be very poor. Buildings that fail the test are evacuated, yet residents often avoid testing out of fear, asking, ‘Where will we go if it’s unsafe?’”

“There is negligence, but investigations will reveal by whom”

Asst. Prof. Bingöl concluded that while it is too early to make definitive judgments about the incident in Gebze, clear negligence is involved: “No building collapses on its own. Even in earthquakes, contractors of collapsed buildings face trial. This means negligence exists. But where does it lie? Were columns cut? What materials were used during construction? Who carried out the inspections? These questions will be answered through the prosecutor’s investigation. There is negligence, but only the investigation will determine by whom.”