Twelve dead in explosion at ammunition factory in Turkey

An explosion at a weapons and explosives factory in northwestern Turkey has killed at least 12 people and injured four others.

The explosion occurred at 8:25 a.m. (5:25 GMT) in the capsule manufacturing sector, the governor of Balikesir city, Ismail Ustaoglu, said.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said the cause was not known, but the authorities said they would stop the vandalism.

Footage from the scene showed flames shooting from the factory, destroying part of the building, followed by black smoke.

This series of photos shows the torn pieces of metal littering the surrounding area.

The explosion caused tremors throughout the town of Köteyli, witnesses told CNN Turk.

Dozens of firefighters were dispatched to tackle the blaze and health and safety teams were dispatched to the area, officials said.

“I wish God’s mercy on our dead citizens and a speedy recovery for our wounded,” Ustaoglu said in a social media post.

An investigation has been launched into what caused the explosion, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said.