Pattaya – A Turkish engineer wanted in connection with a deadly building collapse during the 2023 earthquake in Turkey has been arrested in Thailand after more than a year on the run.
According to Thai authorities, Abdullah Aybaba, 76, was detained at a hotel in Pattaya on April 22 at around 5 p.m. local time. Immigration police acted on a tip-off that a foreign national subject to an international arrest warrant was hiding at the location.
The suspect, who was listed under an Interpol Red Notice, was taken into custody without incident and transferred to immigration authorities in Chon Buri. His visa was revoked, and legal detention procedures were initiated. He was later handed over to investigators for further proceedings.
Wanted over deadly collapse
Turkish authorities have been seeking Aybaba in connection with the collapse of the 16-storey Sami Bey Apartment in the southern city of Adana during the powerful February 6, 2023 earthquake.
The 7.7-magnitude quake caused widespread devastation across Turkey and Syria, killing more than 60,000 people. In Adana alone, 40 residents were killed and two others injured when the building collapsed within seconds.
Allegations of negligence
Investigators allege that the building had been constructed using illegal and substandard materials that failed to meet safety regulations. Aybaba, who served as both contractor and construction supervisor, is accused of negligence causing death.
He is among four defendants facing trial in Turkey, with prosecutors reportedly seeking prison sentences of up to two years.
Authorities said Aybaba fled during the early stages of legal proceedings and had been evading arrest while the case continued in his absence.
Wider scrutiny after earthquake
The case is part of a broader investigation into construction practices following the 2023 earthquake, which exposed widespread safety violations in the building sector.
Multiple contractors and developers have since faced legal action over structures that failed to meet seismic standards.
Family also implicated
According to Turkish media reports, Aybaba’s daughter is also listed among the defendants. She has denied any involvement, stating that shares in her father’s company had been transferred to her without her knowledge and that she played no role in the construction project.
Extradition expected
Thai authorities confirmed that the arrest was carried out following international coordination and that extradition proceedings are expected to follow, as Türkiye seeks Aybaba’s return to stand trial.
Türkiye’de 6 Şubat 2023’te meydana gelen depremlerde Adana’da yıkılan bir binaya ilişkin hakkında kırmızı bülten bulunan firari müteahhit Tayland’da yakalandı.https://t.co/OymcVrfqpH pic.twitter.com/d24vvugJFP
— Odatv (@odatv) April 23, 2026
