Turkish Armed Forces say soldiers in ammunition blast were specialists

ISTANBUL

DHA Photo

The soldiers stocking grenades in a depot when an explosion killed 25 were authorized specialists, the Turkish Armed Forces said, responding to claims that they had been "newly appointed,"  broadcaster NTV reported today.

Fifteen of the 25 soldiers killed in the incident in the western province of Afyonkarahisar had been serving short-term military service for one month and were responsible for carrying ammunition to the depot without going inside, the statement said. 

Two non-commissioned officers, two special sergeants and three or four long-term soldiers were working inside the depot to sort and stock the ammunition, according to the statement.

The statement also included witness statements saying the soldiers had continued working to complete the task after the sky got dark.