ANKARA, December 24. /TASS/. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that the authorities do not consider sabotage as the cause of the blast that occurred at an explosives plant in the town of Balikesir in western Turkey.

"The cause of the explosion has not yet been determined, but the possibility of sabotage is not being considered," the minister said during a local TV appearance.

He also clarified that 11 people were killed, not 12 as previously reported. "The death toll is 11; I am stating this clearly. Not 12, but 11. Seven people have also been injured. Five of them are receiving hospital treatment, and their lives are not in danger. The investigation is ongoing, and an expert commission comprising seven members has been formed," Yerlikaya added.

The head of the Turkish Labor Ministry, Vedat Isikhan, stated that a total of 615 employees work in shifts at the plant. "The most recent inspections of labor and safety conditions were conducted in August. Our chief inspector is now examining whether negligence could have been the reason for the incident," he said.

The explosion occurred earlier in the day at an explosives manufacturing plant, leaving the building nearly destroyed. Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced that a criminal case has been opened, and an investigation is underway.