Turkey: 25 soldiers hurt by exploding ordnance, 7 missing

ANKARA, Turkey – At least 25 soldiers were injured while seven others were unaccounted following an accident during the firing of heavy weapon ordnance, Turkey’s Defence Ministry said Friday.

In a statement, the ministry said the unexplained accident occurred at a base in Hakkari province, which borders both Iraq and Iran and where clashes between Kurdish rebels and Turkish troops are frequent.

The Hakkari governor’s office said the explosion was caused by the firing of “faulty” ordnance at the Sungu Tepe Base near the town of Semdinli.

The soldiers were said to have been immediately evacuated and hospitalized. No details on their condition were provided.

The incident is under investigation, the ministry said.