Boy rescued after 6 days in collapsed tower block

Rescue teams pulled a 16-year-old boy from the debris of a collapsed block of flats yesterday after the teenager survived almost six days under the rubble, shrouded in pulverised concrete that kept him warm.

Muhammet Kalem was the first survivor to be pulled from the wreckage since Tuesday and his father, Ahmet Kalem, had so little hope of seeing his son again that he had already dug his grave.

The 11-floor building in Konya, central Turkey, collapsed last Monday killing at least 68 people. Twenty-nine survivors have been pulled from the wreckage. Rescuers also found five more bodies.

"I kept hearing the voices of rescuers," Muhammet said after being pulled from the wreckage. "I tried not to lose hope thinking they would eventually find me."

His doctor, Riza Saribabicci, said Muhammet was in good condition. He said Muhammet's survival was "beyond my imagination". Most people can survive only about two days without water, Dr Saribabicci said. By sleeping, Muhammet was able to reduce his metabolism and need for water.

Officials have blamed the collapse on shoddy construction and two contractors have been charged with negligence for ignoring building codes.