Gunpowder depot explodes in Central Anatolian province, causing injuries

KIRIKKALE - Doğan News Agency / Anadolu Agency

The powerful explosion at the gunpowder depot in Kırıkkale triggered a fire in a nearby forest due to the powerful explosion. AA photo

An explosion occurred at a gunpowder depot belonging to the state-owned Machinery and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE) in the Hasandede village of the Central Anatolian province of Kırıkkale on the evening of Aug. 20. 

No deaths were immediately reported, but there were some injuries, Doğan News Agency has reported. Hasandede Mayor Malik Coşkun also confirmed that there were no reports of deaths. 

The windows of houses surrounding the site have smashed and a fire erupted in a nearby forest due to the powerful explosion, the report states. The village is located about 13 kilometers south of Kırıkkale's city center. 

Fire trucks and helicopters have been dispatched to the site. The fire is said to have quickly spread into a large area but does not directly threaten residential areas, Kırıkkale Deputy Mayor Halil Danacı told private broadcaster NTV. 

Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Kırıkkale MP and Deputy Prime Minister Beşir Atalay also confirmed that the explosion had not caused any deaths.

"There were explosions at weapons and ammunition depots in the past. Fortunately, what happened today is something less substantial compared to them," Atalay said.

"It is not determined whether the fire erupted first and triggered the explosion, or whether the fire started after the explosion. The officials of the factory said there was not much ammunition stored in the depot," he added.