At least 12 people were killed and five others were injured – apparently slightly – after a powerful explosion this morning at an explosives factory in Balıkesir province, north-western Turkey.
Turkish news agencies reported that the explosion took place at 8:25 a.m. local time (10:25 CET) in a section of the factory, located in the Karesi district about 20 km away from the city of Balıkesir, which manufactures ammunition, explosives and flares for the domestic market and for export.
The power of the explosion was such that it completely destroyed part of the facility. The images broadcast through the media showed footage typical of a war scene, with metal, glass and various structures scattered for hundreds of metres around. At the ‘ground zero’ of the blast, where all that remains is charred debris and twisted metal beams, a column of smoke rose, visible from miles around.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said the causes of the explosion at the factory are still under investigation, although sources initially attributed it to ‘technical reasons’. Four prosecutors have been assigned to the investigation, but Turkish authorities have ruled out sabotage. The same factory had already suffered another explosion 10 years ago.
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Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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