An explosion at an armament factory in northwest Turkey on Tuesday morning has left at least 12 people dead and four others injured.
The blast occurred in the capsule production facility of the factory, which is located in the province of Balikesir.
According to the state-run Anadolu Agency, the explosion caused the collapse of the capsule production building, while nearby structures sustained only minor damage. The exact cause of the explosion remains unclear.
Balikesir Governor Ismail Ustaoglu confirmed the tragic incident, providing details of the damage and confirming the fatalities. "The building where the explosion occurred has completely collapsed. Fortunately, other buildings in the area only suffered minor damage," Ustaoglu stated.
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In response to the incident, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced on the social media platform X that four public prosecutors had been assigned to investigate the cause of the explosion. Authorities are working to determine whether the explosion was accidental or due to negligence.
The factory, which produces armament components, has been a significant part of Turkey's defense industry. Emergency services continue to search for survivors among the rubble as investigations into the incident proceed.