At least twelve people were killed and four others injured in an explosion at an ammunition and explosives factory in northwestern Turkey.
The explosion occurred at 8:25 a.m. local time (5:25 GMT) in the capsule production department, Balikesir city governor Ismail Ustaoglu said.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said the cause was not yet clear but authorities had ruled out sabotage.
Videos from the scene showed a fireball erupting from the factory and destroying part of the building, followed by dark clouds of smoke.
Additional footage from the aftermath shows shredded pieces of steel scattered around the area.
The explosion caused tremors throughout Köteyli municipality, witnesses told CNN Turk.
Officials said many firefighters were dispatched to fight the fire and health and safety personnel were deployed to the area.
“I wish God’s mercy for our deceased citizens and a speedy recovery for our injured,” Mr. Ustaoglu said in a post on social media
An investigation into the circumstances that led to the explosion has been launched, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said.
