February 01, 2008	Friday	Muharram 22, 1429

ISTANBUL, Jan 31: A powerful explosion ripped through an unlicensed fireworks factory in Istanbul on Thursday, killing at least 20 people, injuring over 100 and causing massive destruction.

After pulling a 20th body from the rubble of the five-storey building that collapsed under the force of the blast, the leader of the rescue team, Akin Buzkaya, said there were no signs that any more survivors would be found.

The Istanbul Health Directorate said at least eight of the injured were in a serious condition.

The disaster in the industrial zone of Davutpasa, on the city’s European shore, appeared to result from a chain reaction that started with a small explosion and a fire in a clandestine fireworks plant on the fourth floor of the building, Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler told reporters.

The explosion caused the implosion of the building which housed several small industries, including a denim bleacher and paint and yarn maker.—AFP