UPDATE - 372 Turkish soldiers hospitalized in western Turkey

UPDATES NUMBERS OF SOLDIERS HOSPITALIZED' ADDS STATEMENT BY DEFENSE MINISTER

By Zekeriya Gunes, Ali Korkmaz and Halil Sahin

MANISA, Turkey (AA) - A total of 372 soldiers were hospitalized here late Saturday after being “affected by food”, Defense Minister Fikri Isik said early Sunday.

Isik said 590 soldiers were affected and 372 were taken to hospitals.

"Now there are 72 soldiers (left) at the hospitals. No one is in life threatening condition,” he said at a news conference following a visit with soldiers at Merkezefendi State Hospital. Isik was accompanied by Commander of Turkish Land Forces Gen. Zeki Colak.

“There is no soldier in intensive care," Isik added.

Manisa Governor Mustafa Hakan Guvencer told Anadolu Agency earlier in the day that it is too early to consider poisoning as a cause after soldiers complained about vomiting and nausea.

"We cannot make an official statement now about the reason of the disease and diagnosis, we are waiting for laboratory results," Guvencer said.

Police on Sunday arrested 19 employees, including executives, of the catering company that provides food to the military post where the incident occurred, police source told Anadolu Agency.