A powerful explosion occurred at the Tupras refineries in Nicomedia (Izmit), Turkey, approximately 95 kilometers east of Istanbul. According to a statement from the company, 12 people were injured in the explosion.
İzmit Tüpraş tesislerinde meydana gelen patlamaya ilgili diğer görüntüler geçmiş olsun #patlama #izmit #tupraş #tüpraş
— Doğan ARSLAN (@DnoktaGnoktaN) November 5, 2024
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In a statement from Tupras, it was noted that a fire broke out around 1:30 PM local time (12:30 PM Greek time) during maintenance work on compressors. “Twelve of our colleagues were lightly injured, according to initial reports, and were transferred to the hospital for examinations. The fire has been brought under control and the unit has been safely shut down. Our other activities at the refinery continue as normal,” the announcement emphasized.
İzmit TÜPRAŞ tesislerinde patlama meydana gelmiş #patlama #izmit #tupraş
— Doğan ARSLAN (@DnoktaGnoktaN) November 5, 2024
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The mayor of Kocaeli province, where Nicomedia is located, Tahir Büyükakın, appeared reassuring and told CNNTurk that the explosion occurred due to some issue that arose during a scheduled readiness exercise.
The Tupras refineries are one of Turkey’s largest industrial facilities.
An explosion had previously occurred in 2017 at a refinery unit of the same company in Izmir, resulting in four deaths and one injury.