The wounds of the burnt Greek Balıklı Hospital being healed day by day
Due to the fire that broke out on 4 August 2022 in the İhtiyarhane building of the Balıklı Greek Hospital in Kazlıçeşme, the patients were quickly evacuated and the elderly were taken to other health institutions in the region by health workers, fire brigade, municipal police and citizens on stretchers and wheelchairs.
The historical building was heavily damaged as a result of the fire, the smoke of which was seen from many districts of Istanbul. In the fire, which was extinguished as a result of the intervention of fire brigades from many districts, the building, which defied the years, became unusable.
In the report of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Fire Department, which investigated the incident, it was announced that the cause of the fire could not be determined in a healthy way.
Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, which initiated an investigation into the fire, issued a decision of non-prosecution after the hospital management did not file a complaint.
Exterior facade completed
After 104 people staying in the old age home building, which has been standing for many years, started to be hosted in other parts of the hospital, work was started to heal the wounds of the historical building.
The restoration works carried out in the building under the coordination of Istanbul Governorship, Zeytinburnu Municipality and hospital management were completed. In this context, the exterior of the building was restored to its former appearance after the works carried out in a way to be faithful to the original. The renovation works carried out inside the building are ongoing.
The renovation of the old age home building of the hospital is planned to be completed in the summer. It is aimed to use the building after placing the necessary items for the patients.
"Restoration works completed"
Konstantin Yuvanidis, President of the Balıklı Greek Hospital Foundation, who made statements to AA correspondent about the work carried out, said that the exterior of the building was completed.
Yuvanidis noted that the works inside the building are continuing and added that the rooms will be separated, bathrooms and toilets, heating installations, lifts and ventilation will be carried out.
Yuvanidis stated that intensive work was carried out in the old age home building and that the restoration work here was completely completed.
Yuvanidis stated that those who stayed in the building were hosted in various parts of the hospital and that these patients would be brought to the building after the completion of the works.
Yuvanidis added that Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, Mayor of Zeytinburnu Ömer Arısoy and District Governor Adem Uslu assisted the work in line with the instructions of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
