Building collapses in Turkey

Several trapped

A 10-storey apartment block in central Turkey collapsed yesterday after its central heating unit exploded, trapping several residents under rubble, the state-run Anatolian news agency said.

At least one person was killed when the building collapsed in the city of Konya. Nine people were pulled out of the rubble alive, but did not have life-threatening injuries, Anatolian said, quoting hospital officials.

Residents were helping rescue workers comb the rubble. The building, which had 40 apartments, collapsed at around 8.30 p.m. (1830 GMT) into a pile of rubble some five metres high, Anatolian said.

Poorly enforced building codes and shoddy construction have led to similar disasters in the past in Turkey. A wooden home collapsed in central Istanbul on Saturday, killing six people.

A dormitory of a Muslim religious college collapsed in June in central Turkey, killing 10 students.

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