Istanbul metro construction: scaffolding collapse killed one worker

A construction accident at a metro worksite in Istanbul’s Beyoğlu district left one worker dead and four others injured on Nov. 15 after scaffolding collapsed several floors underground. The collapse happened on the minus-sixth floor of the Kabataş metro line construction area, where the scaffolding suddenly gave way during a concrete-pouring operation.

Firefighters, medical teams, and police were quickly sent to the site. According to local reports, three workers managed to get out on their own, while two others were trapped beneath the debris and had to be pulled out by firefighters. All five workers were rushed to nearby hospitals. Despite doctors’ efforts, 44-year-old Selahattin Erdoğan succumbed to his injuries, health officials confirmed. Treatment for the other injured workers continues.

Istanbul Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan, who examined the scene, stated that the incident occurred when the formwork failed during the concrete work. He added that three of the injured were able to walk out, while two had to be carried out on stretchers, emphasizing that there was no soil shift or additional structural collapse other than the scaffolding failure. In all, the municipality announced that an administrative investigation has been starter to determine the cause of the accident.