ANKARA: A huge explosion outside the headquarters of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) near Ankara on Wednesday left several people “dead and injured” in what authorities are calling a terrorist attack.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed the explosion, stating, “A terrorist attack was carried out against the Turkish Aerospace Industries… Unfortunately, we have martyrs and injured people.”
The blast occurred in Kahramankazan, a small town located 40 kilometers north of the capital, around 4:00 p.m. local time (1300 GMT).
Footage from the scene broadcast by local media initially showed huge clouds of smoke and a large fire raging at the site in Kahramankazan, a small town some 40 kilometres (25 miles) north of Ankara.
Footage broadcast by local media showed thick clouds of smoke and a large fire engulfing the area, with emergency services rushing to the scene. Reports from Haberturk TV suggested an ongoing “hostage situation,” though no additional details were provided. The private broadcaster NTV reported gunshots in the aftermath of the explosion.
The exact number of casualties remains unclear, and there has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.
The explosion occurred as Turkey’s defence and aerospace sectors were showcasing at a major trade fair in Istanbul, which was attended earlier this week by Ukraine’s top diplomat.
Turkish Aerospace Industries is a key player in the country’s defence industry, contributing significantly to Turkey’s military exports, which are projected to reach $10.2 billion in 2023, with the nation being particularly known for its Bayraktar drones.
