An explosion at the Derince port in Türkiye has left at least 10 people injured, according to the region’s governor. The blast, which occurred on Monday afternoon, was captured on video by security cameras and described by witnesses as resembling a “violent earthquake.”
Mayor Zeki Aygün of Derince explained that the explosion originated from a block of government-owned grain silos and caused significant damage. It felt like a “violent earthquake,” he added. The governor of Kocaeli, Seddar Yavuz, confirmed that 10 people were injured in the incident, with two of them in serious condition and receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.
The footage from security cameras showed the moment of the blast, which resulted in debris being scattered across a nearby goods yard. Video taken from a distance revealed a cloud of smoke and dust rising over the port after the explosion.
Derince, located around 90 kilometers (55 miles) east of Istanbul in the province of Kocaeli, is a government-operated seaport and a crucial hub for grain transportation. However, the port recently faced a setback when the Black Sea grain deal with Ukraine expired last month. As a consequence, regular shipments of grain from Ukraine to Derince came to an end.
The exact cause of this explosion remains unclear, although CNN Turk reported that it occurred during the loading of grain onto a vessel. Currently, a transport ship registered under the Marshall Islands flag is docked next to the damaged silos at the port, according to live data from MarineTraffic.com.
Reports indicate that out of the 16 silos at the port, 13 were damaged in the blast. Emergency services are still present at the scene, working to manage the aftermath of the incident. Meanwhile, local authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the explosion.
The Derince port explosion has raised concerns about the safety and security measures in place at government-operated ports in Türkiye. The incident has also underlined the importance of grain transportation infrastructure, particularly as Türkiye heavily relies on regular grain shipments for its food supply.
The injured individuals are currently receiving medical attention, and their conditions are being closely monitored. As the investigation into the explosion progresses, authorities will work to ensure that appropriate measures are implemented to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
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