ANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer has said, ''I want to stress that human life is very precious, and should not be lost as a result of irresponsibility. I hope that events like the destruction in Konya would never occur again.''
Releasing a message after an eleven-storey building collapsed in central province of Konya burying many people under its debris, President Sezer expressed his profound sorrow over demise of many people.
''I want to stress that human life is very precious, and should not be lost as a result of irresponsibility. I hope that events like the destruction in Konya would never occur again. I also hope that search and rescue efforts will be completed successfully,'' he said.
President Sezer extended his condolences and implored God's strength upon all who are grieving for their beloved one.
ERDOGAN: WE HAVE LOST OUR 12 CITIZENS
Responding questions of journalists, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu, and Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Sami Guclu have been observing developments together with provincial officials.''
''Unfortunately, the figures are terrifying. We have lost our 12 citizens. More than 30 others were wounded. Five of them are in critical condition. We hope that they would get well soon. It is totally a technical failure. Unfortunately, we are still dealing with such difficulties. We will try to do our utmost to remove these difficulties,'' he added.
ANOTHER WOMAN PULLED ALIVE FROM RUBBLE
Search and rescue teams pulled another woman alive from rubble 19.5 hours after collapse of an eleven-storey building in central Anatolian province of Konya late on Monday.
Sabiha Akpinar, 25, has survived the disaster with slight injuries.
Number of those who were pulled alive from rubble increased to 31.
Search and rescue efforts have been continuing in the scene.
(UK-AÖ) 03.02.2004