Five killed in blast at explosives factory in Turkey’s capital

At least five workers have been killed in an explosion at the MKE Rocket and Explosives Factory outside Ankara.

At least five workers were killed in an explosion at an explosives factory in the Turkish capital Ankara, the defense ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

The explosion took place at the MKE Rocket and Explosives Factory, about 40 km outside Ankara.

“There was an explosion in the factory’s dynamite department due to a chemical experiment, according to technical personnel,” Vahap Sahin, the governor of Ankara province, told reporters.

“Unfortunately, five workers have passed away, our condolences go out to their families,” said Sahin. The Turkish Defense Ministry also confirmed the death toll in a separate statement.

“There were five other workers under the rubble, but we managed to rescue them.”

Injured workers at the factory have been taken to hospitals, according to state media, which said an investigation into the incident has been launched.

State media added that people in critical condition were among those injured.