Explosion rocks industrial zone in Istanbul

By Arif Yakici

ISTANBUL

Seven people were injured in two separate blasts in Istanbul on Monday, a police source told Anadolu Agency.

In the first incident, a blast at an industrial zone in Sultanbeyli district on the port city’s Asian side left four people injured, the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.

According to preliminary reports, a cosmetic and perfumery-filling machine had exploded, causing a fire in the industrial area, which was later contained by firefighters.

The injured were transferred to the Sultanbeyli State Hospital.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident and also increased security at the site, the source added.

Separately, another blast hit the Maltepe district, also on the Asian side of the city, when a package delivered by a courier company was opened by Osman Ozdemir Kurdas, 56, at his office, leaving him in critical condition, police source said.

Two other people were also injured.

Police have detained the son of Kurdas, who is a manager of a local Turkish company, in the suspected murder plot, the source added.