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An explosion occurred at a firework factory in the district of Hendek in Turkey's western province of Sakarya at around 11.15 a.m. today (July 3). As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA) earlier in the day, the cause of the explosion has not yet been identified.
In the most recent statement about the incident, as of 3.40 p.m. today, Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca has announced that four people have lost their lives in the blast while 97 others have been wounded.
Koca has said that 97 wounded people were hospitalized and 16 of them have been discharged from the hospital following their treatment. There is also a 31-year-old worker who is seriously injured in the explosion. "There are no others in serious condition," Koca has added.
According to his statement, the factory had 186 workers, 20 of whom did not come to work today, and 101 people have been reached by the teams so far. "Our works for other people are still ongoing. We know that 15 people have left the site early," Heath Minister Koca has noted.
When asked by a journalist whether it is true that "40-45 people cannot be reached or contacted," Koca has answered in the affirmative.
In a previous statement, President and ruling AKP Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that while there were 189 personnel at the factory, 74 of them were wounded in the blast, one in serious condition. Erdoğan also said that two people lost their lives. Minister Koca also previously announced that while 2 people lost their lives in the explosion, 73 people were injured.
7th blast in the same factory in 13 yearsAccording to the data of Health and Safety Labor Watch (İSİG Assembly), today's explosion marks the seventh explosion in the Büyük Coşkunlar Firework Factory over the past 13 years. Including this recent blast, nine workers have lost their lives and 109 workers have been wounded. The dates and tolls of the previous six explosions were as follows: September 1, 2007 - An explosion took place in the section where coal was ground to be used in gunpowder production. One workers was injured. May 21, 2009 - An explosion took place in the section where sparklers were produced Three workers were wounded in the blast. August 17, 2009 - An explosion occurred in the section where explosives were produced to be used in Ramadan cannons. While one building of the factory collapsed, the others were severely damaged. One worker died, 33 others were wounded. September 29, 2019 - An explosion claimed the life of one worker and injured another. The explosion occurred as the fuse of sparklers was cut before they got dry. February 11, 2011 - An explosion claimed the life of woman worker Hediye Hallaç and wounded 14 others. December 14, 2014 - 38-year-old Yılmaz Şapoğlu lost his life in a blast. |
Governor said there were 172 people
The blast was reportedly so powerful that it was heard from several parts of Düzce despite the factory being located 50 kilometers to the city center. Hearing the explosion, citizens took to the streets. Several healthcare and fire brigade teams have been referred to the area.
Speaking about the blast, Sakarya Governor Çetin Oktay Kaldırım said, "Our all teams are there. Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), healthcare teams, fire brigade teams, National Medical Rescue (UMKE) teams, gendarmerie and security personnel... Our all units are there. All safety measures have been taken around the factory. As it is a firework factory and the blasts continue, we cannot intervene for now.
"As far as we could learn from the owner of the factory, there are around 150-200 people inside, but it cannot be intervened as the blasts continue. We are closely following the incident.
"We have taken all safety measures in the vicinity, we do not let the citizens approach it. We will keep informing the public about the developments."
Making another statement later in the day, Governor Kaldırım has said, "The fire is partly under control. We have learnt that there are 25 people in the main building. Combined with other buildings, there are 172 people in total. There are 110 tons of products in the factory."
Statement by the AFAD
Sharing a message about the blast on its Twitter account, the AFAD has also said that the explosion took place "as a result of an industrial accident" and there is reportedly "no source of radiation in the factory."
'It was a really strong blast'
Hendek Mayor Turgut Babaoğlu also made a statement about the explosion. Speaking to the AA, Babaoğlu said:
"It is said that there are around 150-200 people inside. They do not let anyone in, except for the ambulances and firefighters. I do not have clear information. A blast occurred there around 3-4 years ago, too.
"It happened at the same factory. No one lost their lives in that blast. Explosion continue, but not as strong as before. All teams are here now. It is located 16 kilometers from the district of Hendek.
"It was a really strong blast. Our phone sdo not stop ringing. The explosion was heard all across the city. The blast was heard in neighboring cities as well. We thought that it was a bomb. Security measures have been taken now. A security cordon has been set."
Speaking about the blast, Sakarya Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem Yüce also said that "they asked for help from the neighboring cities," noting that both the blasts and the fire were continuing. (RT/SD)
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