Fireworks factory blast kills six, injures 74 in Turkey
03 July 2020
Several explosions at a fireworks factory in Turkey’s northwest Sakarya province killed six people and injured 74 others on July 3. Large plumes of black smoke could be seen from miles away while some reported hearing the blasts from over 30 miles away.
Representative image: Shutterstock
Around 200 workers were at the site when the initial blast occurred. More than 1,000 personnel from the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and the National Medical Rescue Team (UMKE) attended the scene.
A local official told reporters that the cause of the blast remains unknown and that an investigation has been opened. On July 4, the factory’s manager and two foremen were arrested in relation to the incident.
Local media report that the factory has experienced several safety incidents in recent years, including an explosion in 2014 in which one worker died.
