Two buildings collapsed in an explosion of gas in Istanbul, three people pulled from the rubble

(Patria) - Two buildings collapsed in Ebe Street in Ayvansaray, Fatih district of Istanbul. Numerous teams are at the scene, and citizens are also helping in the search of the rubble. One man was pulled from the rubble with injuries.

There is no information yet on whether there are any dead or injured, nor how many people were in the building.

Numerous teams have been dispatched to the area to search the rubble.

Hurriyet writes that there are many old and abandoned buildings in the area.

The Governor of Istanbul issued a statement stating that explosions occurred in the building around 12 o'clock.

"Initial assessments indicate that the explosion was caused by natural gas. After the explosion, two adjacent buildings collapsed. Numerous AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management Authority) teams, firefighters, and medical personnel have been dispatched to the scene, and search and rescue operations have begun. Of the five people believed to be trapped under the rubble, three have been rescued and transported to hospitals. Search and rescue operations for the remaining two people are ongoing," the statement said.