07 August 2023 , 12:13
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Footage has shown the terrifying moment an "earthquake-like" explosion ripped through a port, some 55 miles east of Istanbul, causing 12 people to be injured.
The cause of the explosion at the port in Kocaeli's Derince district is still unknown as residents reported their home shaking and footage shows thick plumes of black smoke billowing for miles. Twelve people have been injured and two are in serious condition, according to Kocaeli Governor Seddar Yavuz. The explosion in the silos belonging to the Turkish Grain Board happened around 14:35 local time, with one local news site reporting it sounded like a "violent earthquake."
Footage shows the explosion happening at silos owned by the Turkish Grain Board (Twitter)Local Mayor Zeki Aygün said in a statement: "My office is about 1 km away and I felt an earthquake. Friends are working. We know that there was an explosion." Firefighters, police and medical teams were quickly dispatched to the area to desperately try and extinguish the blaze. While one Twitter user wrote: "There was a terrible explosion, the glass door wall shook so much! Disaster news does not end, I guess it was Derince Port; I hope nothing happened to anyone."
The explosion in the silos belonging to the Turkish Grain Board happened around 14:35 local time, with one local news site reporting it sounded like a "violent earthquake." Firefighters, police and medical teams were quickly dispatched to the area to desperately try and extinguish the blaze.
Footage from the aftermath of the explosion shows a post-apocalyptic scene of debris and dust engulfing the surrounding area, casting a pall over firefighters and civilians in covid-style masks. Kocaeli Fire Brigade Chief İslamoğlu said: "About 3 silos exploded. We have citizens who have been injured in various parts. We removed all of our wounded from here. Nothing serious so far. Hopefully, we guess that there is no one around."
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Murat Emir, a Member of the National Assembly of Türkiye wrote on Twitter: "I convey my best wishes to all our citizens who were affected by the explosion in the Soil Products Office silo in Kocaeli-Derince Port, wish a speedy recovery to the injured and hope that no loss of life will occur."
It is not known what caused the explosion but residents reported their homes shaking
Four people have been injured, according to the local Mayor Zeki Aygün (Twitter)CNN TÜRK reporter Hasret Kaya, said in a live broadcast: "One of the wheat silos exploded. It is thought to have happened while a ship was buying wheat at that point. It is thought that it took place quickly due to the wheat silo, but whether there was periodic maintenance we do not know. The authorities have not yet made a statement. This will be clarified in the coming period. This is the information we have received from the region."
Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story .