Turkey’s interior minister has blamed a “terrorist attack” for an explosion and attack by gunmen on the headquarters of the country’s national aerospace company, Tusaş, outside Ankara, saying there were dead and injured at the scene.

The large explosion occurred outside the building at 4pm on Wednesday, while gunshots were also reportedly heard nearby. Habertürk TV said there was an “ongoing hostage situation,” without giving further details.

“A terrorist attack was carried out against the Tusaş facilities in Kahramankazan, Ankara. Unfortunately, we have martyrs and injured people,” Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya wrote on X.

The exact circumstances of the explosion and subsequent shooting remained unclear. Some media reports suggested it was a suicide attack.

Initial reports said the attack was launched by several gunmen who arrived at the scene by taxi. Local television footage appeared to show people dressed in black with backpacks on the street near the building shooting at passers-by. Television images also showed a damaged gate and a nearby collision in a parking lot.

Tusaş is one of Turkey’s most important defense and aviation companies. Among other things, it produces Kaan, the country’s first national combat aircraft.

According to the Turkish newspaper Hürriyet, employees in the building were directed to emergency accommodation for safety reasons.

The explosion occurred as a key defense and aerospace industry trade fair was taking place in Istanbul, attended this week by Ukraine’s top diplomat.

Turkey’s defense sector, widely known for its Bayraktar drones, accounts for nearly 80% of the country’s export revenue, with revenue expected to exceed $10.2 billion in 2023.

More details coming soon…