At Least 12 Injured in Port Blast in Turkiye

An explosion in a port in northwestern Turkiye on Monday injured at least 12 people, officials reported.

The explosion at a grain depot in the port of Derince on the northern shore of the Gulf of Izmit sent plumes of thick smoke and dust billowing.

Seddar Yavuz, the governor of Kocaeli province, said the initial investigation showed that the explosion was caused by "wheat dust compression during the transfer of wheat from a ship to the silo."

He added that the explosion at the site of the Turkish Grain Board (TMO) is still under investigation.

Kocaeli Mayor Tahir Buyukakın mentioned that three of the injured were taken to hospital in serious condition. All individuals were counted.

The transport ministry said no ships were affected.