Over 131 contractors have been detained by Turkish authorities as rescuers are finding more survivors in the aftermath rubble of the February 6 earthquakes that killed over 33,000 people.
In total, Turkish officials have detained or issued arrest warrants for 131 people allegedly involved in the construction of buildings that toppled down and crushed their occupants, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay informed on Saturday night.
Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said that these people were under investigation for their alleged responsibility in the construction of buildings that failed to withstand the earthquakes.
Prosecutors have already started collecting samples from these collapsed building sites to examine the quality of the construction material that was used, he said.
Earlier, Turkey’s Justice Ministry announced the plan to establish “Earthquake Crimes Investigation” bureaus.
The bureaus aim to identify contractors and others responsible for building works, gather evidence, instruct experts including architects, geologists, and engineers, and check building permits and other occupation permits.