Authorities said 12 people were killed and five others injured in an explosion at a factory producing explosives in Karesi, a district of Türkiye’s western province of Balıkesir, on Tuesday, Dec. 24.
The incident took place in the factory’s capsule production section located in the rural Kavaklı neighborhood. Authorities have yet to uncover the reason for the blast.
Following the explosion, a large number of emergency health and fire department teams were dispatched to the area. Balıkesir Governor Ismail Ustaoğlu told the Anadolu Agency (AA) that teams were immediately directed to the site
Confirming fatalities and injuries, Ustaoğlu said: “An explosion occurred at the ZSR explosive production facility. After the explosion in the capsule production section, the building collapsed. All our teams are currently here.”
He stated that three injured individuals have so far been taken to the hospital and that their conditions are stable. Ustaoğlu added that efforts to determine how many people were inside at the time of the explosion are ongoing.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan shared his deep sorrow over the explosion at the ammunition factory in the Karesi district of Balıkesir, which claimed the lives of 12 individuals. He stated that he had received information from the Governor of Balıkesir and other relevant institutions and instructed that a thorough investigation be launched immediately. President Erdoğan extended his condolences to the families of the deceased, prayed for their souls, and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.