ISTANBUL, Dec 24 — A blast ripped through an explosives factory in northwest Turkiye on Tuesday, killing 11 people and injuring seven, said Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, adding that an investigation had been launched.
An initial death count of 12 people had been announced mistakenly and 11 people had been killed as a result of the incident.
Seven others were getting treatment at nearby hospitals for non-life-threatening injuries.
"The cause of the fire is being investigated thoroughly; no suspicion of sabotage in this incident," he said, speaking outside the manufacturing facility.
Footage from the scene showed a fireball and smoke rising from the factory building at the time of the blast, as well as the mangled metal framework of the building in the aftermath.
The explosion occurred at a factory in the village of Kavakli in Balikesir province.
Many fire crews were sent to deal with the blaze and health and security units were dispatched to the area while an investigation was launched, said the government's communications directorate.
— Reuters
