Twelve people died in an explosion at an ammunition factory in Turkey

An explosion at an ammunition and explosives factory in northwestern Turkey has killed at least 12 people and injured four others.

The explosion took place at 08:25 local time (05:25 GMT) at the capsule production site, Balıkesir Governor Ismail Ustaoğlu said.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that the cause is not yet clear, but authorities have ruled out sabotage.

Footage from the scene shows a fireball erupting from the factory, destroying part of the building, followed by billows of dark smoke.

Further footage from the aftermath shows mangled pieces of steel littering the surrounding area.

Eyewitnesses told CNN Turk that the explosion caused tremors throughout the town of Koteili.

Multiple fire crews were dispatched to the blaze, and health and safety units were dispatched to the area, officials said.

“I wish God’s mercy to our fallen citizens and speedy recovery to our wounded,” Mr. Ustaoglu said in a social media post.

An investigation into the circumstances that led to the explosion has been launched, Minister of Justice Yilmaz Tunc said.