A Turkish court sentenced builder Hasan Alpargun to 865 years in prison for the faulty construction of a 14-story apartment building that collapsed during a devastating earthquake, killing 96 people. Alpargun was found guilty of “causing death and injury with possible intent,” officials stated.
The building, located in Adana, collapsed during a 7.8-magnitude earthquake in February 2023, which killed over 53,500 people in Turkiye and nearly 6,000 in Syria. Out of all the residents, only one survived.
Constructed in 1975, the building’s collapse raised suspicions as Adana, located about 200 km from the epicenter, experienced far less damage than other areas. Alpargun fled to northern Cyprus on the day of the earthquake but surrendered to police a week later.
Experts at the trial identified severe structural deficiencies, including weak support columns and substandard concrete. Alpargun defended his actions, stating the building met official approvals. Over 260 people linked to other collapsed buildings have been arrested, with some attempting to flee the country.