An explosion has occurred at the wastewater treatment plant at the tanning industry cluster at Tuzla in Turkey. Five people working in the area at the time were injured and taken to hospital; the authorities said one of the injuries was serious. By Leatherbiz.

The explosion occurred on April 23, the same day as an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 hit the region, injuring more than 350 people. However, initial reports say the likely cause of the explosion was a build-up of biogas in one of the tanks at the plant.

A substantial volume of waste spilled into the area around the industrial zone. A clean-up operation is under way.

Local leather industry representatives are working with the Tuzla municipality and government ministries on a formal investigation into the explosion.