Explosion Occurs at TMO Warehouse in Kocaeli

A powerful explosion occurred at a State Grain Board warehouse near Derince Port in Kocaeli. Multiple teams were dispatched to the area where smoke rose following the blast. According to initial reports, 10 people were injured, 2 of them severely. A strong explosion occurred at around 14:40 today near Derince Port in Kocaeli. The explosion, which was reported to have occurred at the State Grain Board's warehouse, was felt as far as Gölcük. It is believed that the blast, which injured 12 people including 3 severely, was caused by dust accumulation. Following the explosion at the silo of the State Grain Board Kocaeli Regional Directorate, multiple teams were dispatched to the area following reports from citizens. Following the blast, which was felt across much of the city, ambulances reached the scene. It was learned that 12 people were injured in the explosion, 3 of them severely.

No fire; dust-related explosion occurred

Derince Mayor Zeki Aygün, speaking at the scene, stated that teams continued their operations, saying, "We are currently identifying the injured and getting them to hospital. Investigations are ongoing and we don't have complete information yet, but we sent 3-4 colleagues to the hospital. We are monitoring the incident with our teams."

Aygün, who said the explosion occurred in the grain silo, continued as follows:

"This is a technical matter, naturally it is not for us to explain or know the details. Our teams will provide information after their inspection. There is no fire; the explosion was caused by dust accumulation, but it was a violent blast. I felt it even from where I was sitting in the municipal building. Hopefully there have been no deaths, and if we get through this event without loss of life, that is what matters most to us."

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