An outbreak of fire in a military zone has caused a series of explosions east of Kyrenia this morning.
“A fire broke out in an arsenal within the military zone and there were consecutive explosions in the eastern part of Girne”, Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay wrote on Facebook.
Özersay said he is coordinating with officials from the military and police department who are dealing with the situation and he would soon arrive at the scene.
He added that as soon as reliable information is gained, it will be shared with the public.
There are no fatalities but some guests were injured by glass shards from windows of the nearby Acapulco hotel which shattered because of the explosions, Özersay said.
At the moment, the fire is still burning in the arsenal, entries to the area have been sealed off due to the shrapnel, he said, and added that electricity in the region was cut off as a measure.
Özersay also mentioned that people in the Arapköy region have been largely evacuated as a precaution, but fire is not spreading.
President Mustafa Akıncı told reporters that he was pleased that there had been no loss of life, after arriving at the scene along with Prime Minister Ersin Tatar and Özersay.
He said there is no reason to worry at the moment and assured that he would stay in touch with Turkey and would call for help if necessary.
Two thousand tourists in the Acapulco Hotel, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the military unit, were evacuated as precautionary measures.
President Akıncı also went to the Acapulco hotel to reassure tourists and said those who have flights in the morning would be taken safely to the airport.
Tatar urged for calm and hoped the explosions would be soon come to an end.
Stating the importance of not losing any lives, he said the region was under the control.
Hurriyet
