UPDATE- Explosion at explosives factory in western Türkiye kills 12

UPDATES WITH STATEMENTS FROM INTERIOR, JUSTICE MINISTERS

By Sinan Balcikoca and Mirac Kaya and Abdullah Sarica

BALIKESIR, Türkiye (AA) - An explosion at an explosives production facility in Türkiye’s western Balikesir province Tuesday left 12 people dead and several others injured, according to authorities.

According to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, 12 were killed and 4 others injured in the explosion in Karesi district.

Earlier, Balikesir Governor Ismail Ustaoglu said the blast occurred in the capsule production section of the factory, located in the rural Kavakli neighborhood of Karesi district, for reasons yet to be determined. The explosion caused the building to collapse, he added.

Emergency crews, including 112 emergency medical and fire teams, were dispatched to the site shortly after the incident.

Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said that an investigation has been launched into the explosion.

On X, Tunc stated that the Balikesir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has assigned one deputy chief prosecutor and four prosecutors to oversee the investigation. "The investigation is being conducted comprehensively and meticulously."