Fenerbahce Uploads Condolences Against Victims Of Explosives Factory In Turkey

JAKARTA - The Istanbul-based Turkish club, Fenerbahce, uploaded a message of condolences to victims of the ammunition factory explosion in Balikesir Province.

Recent reports, the explosion killed 12 people and injured four people.

"We wish God mercy to our citizens who lost their lives in the explosion that occurred at the explosives factory in Balikesir. We wish our injured residents a speedy recovery," Fenerbahce said in an official statement.

As is known, an ammunition factory located in Kavakli Village, Balikesir Province, northwest of Turkey, exploded on Tuesday, December 24, 2024.

"According to preliminary reports, 12 employees were killed and four people were taken to hospital with injuries from the explosion," said Balikesir Governor Ismail Ustaoglu.

Authorities put aside sabotage. Footage broadcast in local media showed shards of glass and metal strewn outside the factory, where the ambulance was on standby.

Turkey's Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya, revealed that the investigation was launched after the devastating explosion.

So far, Yerikaya said the cause was unknown and authorities set aside possible sabotage.

"We are trying to find out what caused it," he told Al Jazeera.

The explosion occurred at 08.25 am local time during the morning shift shift.

The part where the explosion occurred was where the bullet capsule was produced was damped due to a collision.

The power outages that occurred have forced local authorities to search manually for people who may still be inside the building.

Firefighters were dispatched to control the fire and health and security units were deployed.

For information, the factory manufactures ammunition, explosives, and flares for the domestic and international market.

Turkey has become a leading defense exporter, particularly a drone, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a strong supporter of the industry.

The incident came two months after an attack on a Turkish defense company near the capital Ankara that killed five people and injured 22 people.

The attack was allegedly carried out by the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party) and caused Turkey to launch several counter attacks.