Turkey: Several killed and scores injured in explosion at fireworks factory in Sakarya province on July 3

Event

At least four people were killed and 97 others injured on Friday, July 3, in an explosion at a fireworks factory in the Sakarya province town of Hendek. The blast occurred at around 11:15 (local time) in an industrial district on the outskirts of the town and caused extensive damage to nearby buildings. The fire has since been extinguished by emergency crews, who initially struggled to reach the main factory building due to secondary explosions. However, several dozen employees are believed to remain unaccounted for.

Localized travel disruption is likely in the Hendek area in the near term as emergency response and clean up operations continue around the accident site.  

Advice

Those in the Sakarya province are advised to monitor developments, anticipate localized disruption, and heed any directives issued by local authorities. Health authorities have advised those in Hendek and the surrounding area to remain indoors and close doors and windows due to the potentially harmful fumes from the incident.