Turkey’s military says 25 Turkish soldiers were wounded in an accident that occurred while firing heavy ammunition.
In a statement Friday, the Defense Ministry said another seven soldiers were unaccounted for following the accident, which occurred at the Sungu Tepe military base in the southeastern province of Hakkari. The province borders both Iraq and Iran.
The Hakkari governor’s office said the explosion was caused by the firing of “faulty” ordnance at the base.
It is not clear whether the accident happened during a combat mission or an exercise.
The Defense Ministry said the wounded soldiers were transferred to a hospital, but did not give details on the severity of the injuries. The ministry said that an investigation has been launched.
Turkey’s predominantly Kurdish southeast has been the site of clashes between the Turkish army and the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Turkey also regularly carries out airstrikes on PKK bases in northern Iraq.
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