Türkiye: Ammunition depot explosion, 25 soldiers killed

Turkish officials said on September 6 that 25 soldiers were killed and four others were injured in an explosion at an ammunition depot in western Turkey. Terrorism has been ruled out as the cause.

Smoke and fire rising from the scene of the explosion - Photo: news.cn

Forestry Minister Veysel Eroglu visited the scene of the explosion. He told reporters that the incident happened last night, September 5, at an ammunition depot in the city of Afyon, when soldiers were moving grenades.

The bodies of the dead soldiers were only found early this morning, after the fire caused by the explosion was extinguished.

The Turkish military said the cause of the explosion was not yet known, but both Eroglu and Afyon Mayor Irfan Balkanlioglu said it was an accident and ruled out terrorism. “It is possible that a grenade fell and exploded,” Eroglu said.

According to AP, after the explosion, a number of unexploded grenades were found scattered at the ammunition depot and experts are trying to defuse them.

In recent weeks, the Turkish military has engaged in several fierce clashes with Kurdish militants in the southeastern border area with Iraq and Syria.

According to security sources, on the evening of September 5, many fighter jets and helicopters attacked suspected Kurdish rebel positions both on land and in the air, with the participation of about 2,000 soldiers.

According to Tuoi Tre - DT