Fireworks Factory Explosion in Turkey Raises Fears for Over 100 Employees Inside

At least two people have died and dozens of others injured in a large explosion at a fireworks factory in Turkey.

The explosion occurred at the fireworks factory in the town of Hendek, in the northwestern Sakarya province, on Friday, July 3.

Videos on local news sites and social media appear to show multiple fireworks setting off and smoke billowing from the factory in the wake of the blast.

Turkey's Health Minister Fahrettin Koca tweeted that two people have died and at least 73 people have been injured in the explosion.

Koca said 85 ambulances, two helicopter ambulances and 11 national rescue teams are at the scene.

Sakarya Governor Çetin Oktay Kaldırım said around 150 to 200 people were working at the factory at the time of the blast. More than 110 tonnes of fireworks were also said to be kept inside.

"There are around 150-200 people [at the site] according to information from the factory owner but we can't intervene because explosions are continuing," Kaldirim said.

According to the State-owned Anadolu news agency, the blast was heard from more than 30 miles (50 km) away.

Kaldırım later added: "The fire is partly under control. We have learnt that there are 25 people in the main building. Combined with other buildings, there are 172 people in total. There are 110 tons of products in the factory," reported Bianet.

Turkish officials including Koca and Interior Minister Süleyman Soyluon are on their way to Sakarya.

Residents in Hendek are being urged to close their doors and windows so they don't inhale the fumes coming from the factory in the wake of the explosion.

In a statement to, Hendek Mayor Turgut Babaoğlu said: "It is said that there are around 150-200 people inside. They do not let anyone in, except for the ambulances and firefighters. I do not have clear information.

"A blast occurred there around 3-4 years ago, too. It happened at the same factory. No one lost their lives in that blast. Explosion continue, but not as strong as before. All teams are here now.

"It was a really strong blast. Our phones did not stop ringing. The explosion was heard all across the city. The blast was heard in neighboring cities as well. We thought that it was a bomb.

"Security measures have been taken now. A security cordon has been set."

It is unclear what caused the explosion.