PM Shehbaz offers condolences to President Erdogan, expressing solidarity and prayers for victims and the injured
\n karesi
\nA powerful explosion ripped through an explosives plant in northwestern Turkiye on Tuesday, killing 12 people and injuring five others, officials confirmed.
\nFootage from the scene showed shattered glass and debris scattered outside the facility in the Karesi district of Balikesir province, with ambulances on standby.
\n\u201cAccording to initial reports, 12 employees died, and four were taken to hospital with injuries as a result of the explosion,\u201d local governor Ismail Ustaoglu stated. He extended condolences, saying, \u201cI wish God\u2019s mercy upon our deceased citizens and a speedy recovery to our wounded.\u201d
\nThe number of injured was later updated to five, with officials confirming their conditions were not serious. Authorities added that no staff remained inside the factory and the subsequent fire had been extinguished.
\nThe explosion occurred at 8:25am (0525 GMT) in a section of the plant that collapsed under the force of the blast.
\nInterior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that the cause of the explosion, which occurred in a factory situated away from residential areas, remained unclear. \u201cWe are trying to find out what caused it,\u201d he said.
\nWhile local officials attributed the blast to \u201ctechnical reasons,\u201d no further details were provided as investigations continued at the site. Authorities ruled out sabotage, and prosecutors have launched a thorough inquiry.
\nPresidential response
\nPresident Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his sorrow, stating, \u201cI am deeply saddened by the death of 12 brothers.\u201d He added that he had been briefed shortly after the incident and instructed a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
\nThe plant, located in northern Balikesir, produces munitions, explosives, and flares for domestic and international markets. Witnesses described part of the building as resembling \u201ca battlefield.\u201d
\nThe remains of the deceased were transported to a morgue, while security forces implemented precautions against the risk of a secondary explosion. Civilians and journalists were barred from approaching the site.
\nPrevious incidents
\nTurkiye has faced similar tragedies in recent years. In 2020, an explosion at a fireworks factory killed seven people and injured 127, while a 2023 blast at a military explosives factory near Ankara claimed five lives.
\nPrime Minister condolences
\nPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan conveyed his condolences on social platform X, writing, \u201cHeartfelt condolences to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and our Turkish brethren. While expressing our solidarity with the people of Turkiye, we pray for the bereaved families & swift recovery of the injured.\u201d
\nTurkiye, a growing defence exporter under Erdogan\u2019s leadership, has positioned itself as a major player in the global arms industry, particularly in drone production.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PM Shehbaz offers condolences to President Erdogan, expressing solidarity and prayers for victims and the injured karesi A powerful explosion ripped through an explosives plant in northwestern Turkiye on Tuesday, killing 12 people and injuring five others, officials confirmed. Footage from the scene showed shattered glass and debris scattered outside the facility in the Karesi […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":451502,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-451475","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n