Four dead after explosion in Turkish fireworks factory

Health minister says almost 100 people hospitalised with injuries

A drone photo shows smoke rising after an explosion at a firework factory in Hendek district of Sakarya, Turkey on 3 July, 2020. (Muhammed Enes Yildirim/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Four people have died and at least 97 others have been injured after an explosion at a fireworks factory in northwestern Turkey, officials said.

Footage of the blast, which took place at 11.15 am local time (08.15 GMT), shows a large cloud of smoke rising above the site, which is located outside the town of Hendek in Sakarya province.

Health minister Fahrettin Koca, who later arrived at the scene with two other government officials, said that four of the factory’s 186 workers died as a result of the accident, while 97 others were taken to hospital because of their injuries.

Sixteen of them were subsequently discharged and only one of those remaining in hospital is in a critical condition, he added.

According to officials, attempts by firefighter teams to put out the blast were slowed down by continuing explosions at the site. However, the situation was brought under control several hours later.

Mr Koca said that 85 ambulances, two air ambulances and 11 rescue teams travelled to the area in response to the emergency.

The state-owned Anadolu news agency said that the first blast was heard up to 31 miles (50km) away.

The cause of the explosion is currently under investigation.

Additional reporting from agencies