Fireworks factory explodes in Turkey, killing two people, injuring more than 80 and leaving many trapped inside
- A firework factory explosion has killed two and wounded at least 80 people
- Factory is outside the town of Hendek, Sakarya province in northwestern Turkey
- Some 189 workers are believed to still be trapped inside as fire continues
- Relentless explosions mean firefighters cannot get close enough to tackle blaz
A fireworks factory has erupted into plumes of smoke and fire, killing two, injuring more than 80 and trapping many people inside.
Television footage shows smoke rising from the factory where 189 employees were working today.
Two people died in the suspected gas explosion outside the town of Henkek, Sakarya province on the Black Sea coast, the Turkish Minister of Health Dr. Fahrettin Koca confirmed.
Two helicopters and a fire extinguisher plane are currently working to bring the situation under control.
There are homes less than two miles away from the blaze, according to Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He said the region was 'under control' during an address in Istanbul.
The Turkish Minister of Health Dr. Fahrettin Koca confirmed two people had died at the blast at the factory outside the town of Henkek, Sakarya province on the Black Sea coast, Governor Cetin Oktay Kaldieim told Anadolu Agency
Television footage shows a mushroom-shaped cloud of smoke rising from the factory where 189 employees were working today
He said: 'The personnel who work in the factory live in this neighbourhood and we hope that the injured personnel will go back to their families with great health.'
Video shared to social media showed plumes of black smoke rising above the factory, as fireworks continued to erupt amid the flames.
A doctor attending the scene wrote on Twitter: 'There was an explosion in the fireworks factory in Sakarya Hendek, far from the city.
'We will be at the scene soon to follow the process closely with the instructions of our President. 85 ambulances, 2 helicopter ambulances, 11 UMKE team are at the scene. We have 2 casualties, 73 injured.'
The blasts can be heard for miles around the factory and worried families have started to gather nearby despite warnings to stay away. Firefighters are trying to tackle the blaze
Sakarya Governor Cetin Oktay Kaldırım said explosions have continued, meaning firefighters cannot get to the scene to bring the fire under control.
He added: 'Since it is a fireworks factory, and the explosions continue, we cannot intervene at the moment.'
It was not immediately clear what triggered the blast, but the head of the Turkish Red Crescent has urged residents living nearby to remain indoors and shut their windows over concerns of a possible chemical gas release.
The blasts can be heard for miles around the factory and worried families have started to gather nearby despite warnings to stay away.
The Minister for Health wrote on Twitter: 'There was an explosion in the fireworks factory in Sakarya Hendek, far from the city. Sec'
Explosions have been continued meaning firefighters cannot get to the scene to bring the fire under control
The factory holds 110 tonnes of fireworks stock, reported The Mirror.
Three Cabinet members - Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca, and Family, Labor and Social Services Minister Zehra Zumrut Selcuk - are at the scene.
Turkey's President Erdoğan has offered his condolences to the families of the victims.
More to follow.
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