Explosion at Turkish Explosives Plant Kills 12

A powerful explosion at an explosives plant in northwestern Turkey on Tuesday has resulted in the deaths of 12 employees and injured five others, France24 reported.

The incident occurred at 8:25 AM in the Karesi district of Balikesir province, where the blast caused part of the facility to collapse.

Local governor Ismail Ustaoglu confirmed that the injured individuals were hospitalized but reported their conditions were not serious. The area was secured by Turkish soldiers, and authorities have ruled out sabotage, with a thorough investigation underway to determine the cause, which officials suggested may be “technical reasons.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences, stating he was “deeply saddened” by the tragedy and called for an immediate investigation. The plant manufactures munitions, explosives, and flares for both domestic and international markets. This incident follows a history of similar explosions in Turkey’s defense industry, raising concerns about safety protocols.