Two buildings collapse in Turkey's Istanbul after gas explosion, rescue operation underway

Two buildings collapsed in Turkey's Istanbul on Sunday (local time) after a natural gas explosion rocked the central Fatih district, AP reported.

Following the explosion, multiple teams from Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), fire brigade, and medical services were dispatched immediately to the site of the explosion, and a search and rescue operation was launched. At least nine people were caught under the rubble.

Reacting to the incident, Istanbul Governor Davut Gul said they had recovered seven people, who are undergoing treatment in nearby hospitals. Citing state-run news channel TRT, the report said that an eighth person was also recovered and was sent to a hospital for treatment.

Rescue operations were still underway to find the final person, the report said, adding that none of the survivors is in critical condition.

Of the two buildings that collapsed, one was two stories, the other was one.

This is a breaking story. More details awaited.