An explosion at an explosives production facility in Türkiye’s western Balıkesir province Tuesday left 12 people dead and several others injured, according to local authorities.

“We have information that 12 of our citizens lost their lives in the explosion at the factory in Karesi,” Balikesir Governor Ismail Ustaoglu said.

According to Ustaoglu, the blast occurred in the capsule production section of the factory, located in the rural Kavakli neighborhood of Karesi district, for reasons yet to be determined. The explosion caused the building to collapse, he added.

Emergency crews, including 112 emergency medical and fire teams, were dispatched to the site shortly after the incident.

The incident in Balikesir has caused great sadness in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

President Ersin Tatar issued a condolence message due to the explosion at the ammunition factory in Balıkesir.

In his message, Tatar said, “I wish Allah’s mercy to our brothers who lost their lives as a result of the explosion in the explosive ammunition factory in Karesi district of Balıkesir, patience and condolences to their families, relatives and our nation, and a speedy recovery to our injured brothers.”

The Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly Ziya Öztürkler also issued a message of condolence.

In his message, Öztürkler said, “I have learned with great sadness the news that our brothers lost their lives in the explosion that occurred in the explosives factory in the Karesi district of Balıkesir in our homeland. I wish God’s mercy to our brothers who lost their lives and condolences to their families and the entire Turkish nation.”