The Foreign Office on Tuesday expressed condolences over a deadly blast last week at a fireworks
factory in northwestern Turkey.
In a statement, the foreign office conveyed heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Turkey on the loss of lives and injuries to many as a result of an explosion at the fireworks
factory in t
he Sakarya province.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this tragedy and their families. We also pray for the quickest recovery of the injured,” said the statement. “As always we share the pain of our Turkish brothers and sisters an
d stand by them in this hour of grief.”
A deadly explosion at a fireworks
factory in northwest Turkey on Friday has killed four people and wounded at least 94 others, Turkey’s health minister said. Fahrettin Koca added that rescue teams were working to recover at least 45 people trapped under the
factory’s rubble.
Video posted on social media showed flashes, bangs and a huge plume of smoke at the Big Coskunlar Fireworks
factory, located in t
he Sakarya province. It was unclear what had tr
iggered the blast.
This is believed to be the third explosion at
factory since 2009. Fireworks in Turkey are used to celebrate occasions like graduations, weddings and holidays.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan al
so shared his condolences, speaking to media after Friday prayers in Istanbul. Erdogan said 189 people were working inside the complex in the Hendek district of Sakarya.