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CatastropheTurkey

Turkey: Several killed, scores injured in Izmir gas blast

June 30, 2024

An apparent gas explosion has killed several in a restaurant in the coastal city of Izmir, with nearly 60 people injured, Turkish officials say.

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First responders and rescue vehicles seen above next to the destroyed restaurant in Izmir
The Turkish interior minister said eight ambulances were deployed to the scene in IzmirImage: Berkan Cetin/Anadolu/picture alliance

A building in Turkey's Izmir was partially destroyed in a deadly blast on Sunday, with the explosion claiming at least five lives and leaving some 57 people injured. Some of the injured are in critical condition, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said in an online post.

"May God have mercy on our citizens who lost their lives, and I wish a speedy recovery to our injured," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Cars and surrounding houses were also damaged. People living in the area were asked to evacuate.

Broken windows and damaged buildings near the Izmir restaurant
Early findings indicated a gas explosion, authorities saidImage: Berkan Cetin/Anadolu/picture alliance

The minister said an investigation was ongoing. Initial findings point to the blast being caused by a gas cylinder, he said.

Later on Sunday, authorities said one person was arrested over the incident. The man allegedly replaced the propane tank with a new one at the site on Saturday.

dj/msh (dpa, DW material)