Blast at Turkish armament factory kills at least 11 people

An explosion at an ammunition factory in northwestern Turkey on Tuesday morning (Tuesday afternoon Australian Eastern Time) has killed 11 people and injured 5 others. The explosion occurred in Balikesir province, according to the official Anadolu news agency. The factory is located in a rural area away from population centers.

Balikesir Governor Ismail Ustaoğlu stated that the explosion caused the collapse of a capsule production building, with minor damage to surrounding structures. He added, "The explosion was due to a technical issue, and there is no possibility of sabotage."

Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç posted on social media platform X that a public prosecutor has been assigned to investigate the cause of the explosion. The investigation's launch will help clarify the circumstances of the accident and provide a basis for subsequent handling.