Explosion at a munitions factory in Turkey

At around 08:25 (05:25 GMT), an explosion occurred at a munitions factory in Kavakli, a village in Balikesir province, 10 kilometres north of the provincial capital, Balikesir. The munitions factory produces and assembles explosives and flares for domestic and international markets, contributing to Turkey’s recent rise in the global defence export market. The blast occurred during the morning shift change and originated in a section of the building where bullet capsules are manufactured, and the detonation caused the building to collapse. Initial reports indicated that twelve people had been killed in the blast, but recent updates have reduced the death toll to eleven, with four others suffering non-life-threatening injuries. In a statement released by Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, he confirmed that an investigation had been launched to determine the cause of the explosion. Initial analysis, however, ruled out the possibility of sabotage.