13.11.2024

Second fatal crane collapse on same site

A rail mounted tower crane overturned in the city of Adana in south central Turkey last week killing the operator. It was the second such incident on the site in less than three months.
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The crane overturns

The crane was working on a high rise residential building for the mass Housing Development Administration (TOKİ) in the town last Wednesday November 6th, when it simply went over rearwards. The operator Bülent Temli (37) died shortly after the emergency services arrived on the scene. His body was taken to the Adana Forensic Medicine Institute for examination. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
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Bülent Temli

The crane tipped over from its counterweighted base as it was slewed over the side of the tracks. Two of the rail bogies became detached - whether that occurred before the overturn or as a result of it, we do not know.
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The scene later in the day

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Note the loose rails

We understand that there was a very similar incident on the same site on August 16th, which we did not report on, in which another crane operator - Görkem Harbi (23) a friend and neighbour of Temli - lost his life. That case was particularly tragic as Harbi’s father Özgür Harbi had helped install the crane that killed his son.
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Görkem Harbi

Speaking of the two incidents he said: "There is an installation error in all the cranes on this construction site where I lost my son. The concrete and rails on the cranes are not fixed. Those responsible for the accidents have not received any punishment. If there is justice, I want them to be punished fairly. How many more people will die before then?"
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We understand that this is the crane that went over on August 16th

The following news bulletin shows the incident as it occurred.