ISTANBUL, December 24. /TASS/. Twelve people were killed and four injured in a blast on a gunpowder factory in the town of Balikesir in western Turkey, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported.

"Unfortunately, 12 people were killed and four injured as a result of the explosion. The condition of those wounded is assessed as stable. An investigation into the incident has been launched," the minister said during a TRT Haber TV broadcast.

In turn, Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said a criminal case has been opened over the incident and the investigation is underway. "The Balikesir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating the incident. Four prosecutors have been appointed for this investigation," he wrote on his X page.

According to the Balikesir governor’s press service, the incident occurred along the line of primers. "All the injured were hospitalized. The possibility of a terrorist attack has been ruled out, and we are considering only the possibility of an emergency due to technical issues," the statement said.

In turn, the TRT Haber TV channel reported that a fire broke out as a result of the explosion. There is damage, it added.