Explosion at doner kebab restaurant in Turkey kills seven after suspected gas leak

An explosion at a doner kebab shop in western Turkey on Friday killed seven people, including three children, officials said.

An official said a gas leak may have caused the explosion.

The governor of Aydin province told Turkish television channel CNN Turk that five other people had been injured, one of them in critical condition.

Governor Huseyin Aksoy said initial testimony from a restaurant worker suggested there was a leak in a cooking gas canister, leading to an explosion around 3:35 p.m. local time.

Video shows firefighter at bare window frame on first floor assisting in operation

A video on social media shows smoke billowing from the restaurant. Governor Huseyin Aksoy said initial testimony from a restaurant worker suggested there was a leak in a cooking gas canister, leading to an explosion around 3:35 p.m.

An aerial view of the site of a restaurant explosion in the Nazilli district of Aydin, western Turkey, December 30, 2022

Journalists also said a fire broke out following the explosion at the restaurant in the Nazilli district of Aydin. Footage showed fire engines and ambulances at the scene.

Television footage showed the charred remains of the two-story restaurant, whose windows and doors were blown out by the blast.

A video on social media shows smoke billowing from the first floor window.

Journalists also said a fire broke out following the explosion at the restaurant in the Nazilli district of Aydin. Footage showed fire engines and ambulances at the scene

Another shows a firefighter at the bare window frame on the first floor assisting in the operation.

Republic of Turkey Minister of Justice Bekir Bozdag tweeted: “The person who allegedly caused the explosion has been arrested.

“May our Lord not allow such painful events to happen again to our people and our country.”

Emergency services arrived on the scene

The two-story restaurant building is covered after the incident