25 soldiers hurt after artillery ‘accident’

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey: At least 25 Turkish soldiers were injured and seven were reported missing after an artillery shell exploded ‘ accidentally’ at a military base in the country’s southeast, authorities said.

Turkey’s defence ministry said the explosion occurred ‘ while firing heavy weapon ammunition’ at the base in Sungu Tepe in the Hakkari province near Turkey’s borders with Iraq and Iran.

Twenty- five soldiers were hospitalised, but officials did not give details on the severity of their injuries. Seven soldiers were missing, the ministry said.

The government has launched an investigation.

The provincial government of Hakkari said in a statement that ‘ defective’ ammunition exploded during artillery fire. It was not clear whether this happened during a combat mission, or an exercise. — AFP