Tragic Collapse: 4 Children Injured as Retaining Wall Falls in Antalya
A tragic incident unfolded in Antalya’s Finike district when a retaining wall collapsed on four children sitting on a bench. The horrifying event resulted in the loss of life for 7-year-old Mihriban Kaftanlı and left 6-year-old Serkan Can Burul injured. The harrowing moment when the other two children narrowly escaped being trapped under the wall was captured on a security camera.
The incident occurred around 4:00 PM in the Gökbük District of Finike. The children, who were students at Gökbük Primary School, had gone out to play together after school. As they were sitting on a bench next to the retaining wall of a house by a stream, a 5-meter stone wall collapsed on them. Mihriban Kaftanlı and Serkan Can Burul were trapped under the rubble, prompting a race against time to rescue them.
Upon receiving a distress call, gendarmerie, health, and fire brigade teams quickly arrived at the scene to begin the rescue operation. After approximately two hours of intense efforts, Mihriban Kaftanlı and Serkan Can Burul were successfully freed from the debris and taken to Finike State Hospital. Despite the medical interventions, Mihriban Kaftanlı tragically succumbed to her injuries, while Serkan Can Burul survived with minor injuries.
An investigation into the incident was launched by the Finike Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, with a crime scene investigation, builder’s expert, and public prosecutor being involved. It was revealed that the collapsed wall had been renewed by the landowner two years ago, prompting an inquiry to identify those responsible for the tragic accident. Additionally, security camera footage of the event captured the rapid collapse of the wall on the children and the subsequent rescue efforts.
The heartbreaking news has shaken the community in Finike, and authorities are working diligently to uncover the circumstances that led to this devastating incident. The loss of young Mihriban Kaftanlı serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of ensuring the safety and integrity of structures to protect vulnerable individuals in our communities.
