Factory explosion in Turkey kills 6, injures 27

Factory explosion in Turkey kills 6, injures 27

2011-02-03 22:42:06 GMT+7 (ICT)

ANKARA, TURKEY (BNO NEWS) -- Six people were killed and at least 27 injured Thursday in a factory explosion, believed to be accidental, in the Turkish capital, the Hurriyet Daily News reported.

Turkish Interior Minister BeÅŸir Atalay said the death toll had been raised to six from four and that 27 people had been injured, two seriously. Rescuers were combing the rubble of the building for more casualties.

The explosion, whose cause hasn't been confirmed, went off inside a multi-story building in Ankara's industrial suburb of Ostim. The company employed around 100 people in manufacturing hydraulic machines.

The mayor of Ostim district said the explosion had been most likely caused by a gas leak that caused a furnace to explode. Ankara Mayor Melih Gökcek, however, suggested that it may have been sparked by a worker's misuse of oxygen tube.

Ostim is Ankara's main industrial zone, where hundreds of workshops and factories are located.

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