41 injured in blast at Turkish fireworks factory

Ankara, July 3

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An explosion at a fireworks factory in north-western Turkey injured at least 41 people on Friday, officials and news reports said.

There were an estimated 150 workers at the factory outside the town of Hendek, in Sakarya province, Governor Cetin Oktay Kaldirim told state-run Anadolu Agency.

At least 41 of them were hospitalised with injuries, he said, adding that no lives were lost. News reports said three workers were in serious condition.

Several firefighters and ambulances were sent to the factory, which is away from residential areas. However, explosions were continuing, hampering efforts to bring the fire under control.

The cause of the blast wasn’t immediately known.

Earlier, television video showed a large, mushroom-shape cloud of smoke rising from the factory.

HaberTurk television said authorities blocked roads leading to the factory. Families rushed to the site for news of their loved ones. AP