Death toll rises to 7 in firework factory explosion, 4 people arrested

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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Releasing a statement regarding the explosion that took place in a firework factory in Hendek, Sakarya on July 3, the Governor's Office has announced that the death toll has increased to seven.

CLICK - Fireworks factory explosion: 'They endangered people's lives,' says killed worker's brother

After the explosion, the Office previously stated that six people died in the blast while one person was still missing.

In its latest statement about the incident, Sakarya Governor's Office has indicated that one more person, who was previously reported missing, has been identified by the İstanbul Forensic Medicine Institute based on an examination of DNA samples obtained from the scene of incident.

That being the case, the death toll in Sakarya has risen to seven while there are reportedly no other missing persons. 122 wounded people were previously discharged from hospitals following their treatment. Four people are still hospitalized, one in the Burn Center of İstanbul Kartal City Hospital.

Speaking about the investigation launched into the explosion during the day, Sakarya Governor Çetin Oktay Yıldırım has said that the investigation is being conducted by the labor inspectors assigned by the ministries, by a chief civil inspector and a police chief inspector assigned by the Ministry of Interior and by the Sakarya Chief Prosecutor in its legal aspect.

Indicating that these inquiries continue under the supervision of both prosecutors and a committee of nine appointed by the university, Governor has also stated that the Chief Prosecutor's Office will share the latest developments about the investigation when there are any.

Four people arrested

On the other side, four suspects previously detained as part of the investigation launched into the explosion were arrested yesterday (July 6).

As part of an investigation launched into the incident by the Sakarya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, warrants were issued to detain one manager and two workmasters. Taken into custody by gendarmerie officers, three suspects were taken to the Hendek District Gendarmerie Command.

The day after, on July 5, one more person, an occupational safety specialist, was also detained in Sakarya as part of the investigation.

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), four suspects were referred to the courthouse after the related formalities were completed at the District Gendarmerie Command. They first deposed at the prosecutor's office, then were referred to the Hendek Penal Judgeship of Peace.

The judgeship has ruled that these four people shall be arrested on charge of "causing reckless killing and injury of more than one person." (EKN/HA/SD)