It recently became known that a powerful explosion thundered in the Turkish city of Balikesir (located near the Sea of Marmara).
It is specified that the incident took place at a plant specializing in the production of explosives.
The TASS news agency reported the incident, citing a statement from Balikesir Governor Ismail Ustaoglu.
According to him, at least 12 people were killed and three more were injured as a result of the explosion.
The possibility of a terrorist attack is not being considered, the official said.
A little later, the country's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that the number of victims had risen to four people.
He also noted that doctors assess the condition of the injured citizens as normal.
Law enforcement agencies are conducting an investigation into the incident.
The governor's press service elaborated on the above information: they said that the explosion occurred on a line producing detonator caps.
Please note: all victims were hospitalized.
The authorities are ruling out the possibility of sabotage and are considering the possibility of a “technical emergency.”
In turn, local media write that a fire broke out after the explosion and there is destruction at the plant.
According to a statement by Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunç, a criminal case has been opened into the incident.
