An explosion has killed at least 11 people and injured more than 40 at a textile firm's premises in a suburb of Istanbul, Turkish officials say.
An explosion has killed at least 17 people and injured more than 40 at a textile firm's premises in a suburb of Istanbul, Turkish officials say.
One report on CNN Turk said as many as 17 people had died. Some victims are reported to be still under the rubble.
The city's governor, Muammer Guler, says it is not yet clear what caused the blast. But he ruled out terrorism.
The blast caused part of a five-storey building in the western Davutpasha district to collapse.
The blast caused part of a five-storey building in the western Davutpasha district to collapse.
The explosion happened at about 0930 local time (0730 GMT).
Injured people were carried out of the building, but some victims are said to be still under the rubble.
Mr Guler said "right now, there is nothing linked to terror".
The city's governor, Muammer Guler, says it is not yet clear what caused the blast. But he ruled out terrorism.
The explosion happened at about 0930 local time (0730 GMT), starting a fire in the building.
A second blast reportedly happened just minutes later.
"White smoke was rising into the sky from the factory as we came to the front of the building. People were running around," a witness, who identified himself as Ali, told CNN Turk television.
Television pictures immediately after the blast showed survivors carrying the injured out of the building.
Rescue teams continued to search through the rubble for more survivors. A number of people were taken to hospital.
Rescue teams continued to search through the rubble for more survivors. A number of people were taken to hospital.
Businesses in the building included textile makers and an unlicensed fireworks manufacturer, according to local media.
Mr Guler later said "right now, there is nothing linked to terror".
Businesses in the building included textile makers and an unlicensed fireworks manufacturer, officials said.
This is by far the most serious accident of its kind for some time, the BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Istanbul says.
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