At least 12 people have been killed and four others injured in a deadly explosion at an explosives manufacturing factory in the Karesi district of Balikesir province, Turkey, local media reported on Tuesday.

The blast occurred at 8:25 a.m. (0525 GMT) in the capsule production section of the factory, located in the rural Kavakli neighborhood, according to Balikesir Governor Ismail Ustaoglu. The explosion caused part of the building to collapse, with soldiers and firefighters quickly deployed to the scene for rescue and containment efforts.

The facility, situated away from residential areas, produces munitions, explosives, and flares for domestic and international markets. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that the cause of the explosion is still under investigation, adding, "We are trying to find out what caused it."

Authorities have ruled out sabotage as a potential cause, and an official inquiry has been launched to determine the circumstances leading to the incident.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences on social media, saying he was "deeply saddened by the death of 12 brothers."

This tragedy comes in the wake of a similar incident in 2020 when an explosion at a fireworks factory claimed the lives of four people and injured dozens.

As investigations continue, questions remain about safety protocols and the measures in place to prevent such catastrophic events in high-risk facilities.