At least 12 people lost their lives in a munitions factory explosion in western Turkey on Tuesday, with four more injured, according to Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he had received information from all relevant institutions, particularly the governor of the affected province of Balikesir, and had ordered the immediate launch of investigations necessary to clarify the incident.
The explosion occurred in the morning at a part of the factory in the Karesi district of Balikesir, where, according to official statements, ammunition and explosives were produced for civilian purposes. A building collapsed due to the detonation. The backgrounds were initially unclear, but the authorities do not currently suspect sabotage, rather a defect could be the cause.