20 killed by explosion at unlicensed fireworks factory in Istanbul

An explosion at an unlicensed fireworks factory in an industrial area of Istanbul yesterday killed 20 people and injured 117 others. Visiting the scene of the blast, Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler blamed fireworks illegally manufactured in the five-story building for the explosion. Istanbul Greater Municipality Mayor Kadir Topbas said that a series of explosions had destroyed the top two floors of the building in the Davutpasa district yesterday morning. President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Parliamentary Speaker Koksal Toptan all issued messages of condolences for victims of the blast.