ISTANBUL (BN24) — A fire that broke out early Saturday at a perfume storage depot in Turkey’s northwestern province of Kocaeli killed at least six people and left one person injured, authorities confirmed, marking one of the deadliest industrial incidents in the region this year.
The blaze erupted around 9 a.m. local time in the Dilovası district, an area known for its dense cluster of chemical plants and industrial warehouses. Witnesses reported hearing multiple loud explosions before the fire quickly spread through the facility, which stored highly flammable perfume and cosmetic products.
Videos shared by local media showed thick plumes of black smoke billowing into the air as firefighters battled the flames. Nearby residents said the explosions shook windows and triggered panic across the surrounding neighborhood.
Governor Ilhami Aktaş of Kocaeli told reporters that six workers lost their lives and one person sustained injuries during the blaze. The injured individual was transferred to a local hospital, where they were reported to be in stable condition.
“The cause of the fire has not yet been determined,” Aktaş said during a press briefing. “Teams from the fire department, police, and disaster response units are on site conducting cooling operations and an investigation into what caused the explosions.”
Emergency responders from neighboring districts joined the firefighting effort. Officials said the flames were brought under control within an hour, though cooling operations continued well into the afternoon to prevent reignition.
Local media outlets, citing preliminary reports from firefighters, suggested that the initial explosion may have occurred in a section of the warehouse used to store aerosol containers and alcohol-based perfumes. However, officials have not yet confirmed the source of ignition.
Industrial safety experts noted that Kocaeli province, located about 100 kilometers (62 miles) east of Istanbul, is one of Turkey’s most heavily industrialized regions. The area hosts dozens of factories that produce and store chemicals, plastics, and flammable materials, raising recurring concerns about workplace safety and fire regulations.
Past incidents in the province have drawn criticism from labor unions and safety advocates, who have called for stricter inspections and better enforcement of industrial standards.
By Saturday evening, investigators from the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) were on the scene to collect evidence and interview witnesses. Forensic teams were expected to identify the victims and determine whether negligence or safety violations contributed to the tragedy.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s office had not yet released a statement as of late Saturday, but Turkish media reported that government officials had been briefed on the situation. The Kocaeli fire adds to a string of recent industrial accidents in Turkey involving hazardous materials. Analysts say the growing number of such incidents underscores the need for improved fire preparedness and compliance with occupational safety protocols across the country’s manufacturing sector.
