Frantic search for people trapped under rubble after seven-storey flat collapses in Istanbul

A seven-storey residential tower block has collapsed in Istanbul, triggering a desperate search for residents trapped under the debris.Authorities said the lower three floors of the building caved in at around 5.40am local time in the Maltepe district on the Asian side of the city.Emergency crews rushed to Doğu Street in the Cevizli neighbourhood after receiving reports that multiple residents were buried beneath tons of concrete and twisted metal.Top floors of the structure remained standing, allowing firefighters to safely evacuate residents stranded on the upper levels.The block has partially collapsed, leaving several people trapped under massive amounts of rubble (Anadolu/Getty)Rescue workers using heavy machinery, search dogs, and acoustic listening devices have now established contact with several victims buried inside the lower section.The number of people believed to be trapped under the rubble remains uncertain. So far, nine people – including two children – have been rescued from the rubble, according to regional outlets. Emergency services continue to search their search, with children believed to still be (Anadolu/Getty)No fatalities have yet been confirmed. Istanbul governor Davut Gül confirmed at the scene that rescue teams have made contact with a six-year-old child trapped beneath the debris, but crews are currently being forced to alter their approach due to the site’s instability.“Our teams made contact with several individuals trapped beneath the rubble shortly after arriving,” he told reporters, adding that specialised units are working under extreme caution to prevent further collapse.The cause of the structural failure remains under investigation.