Explosion at kebab shop restaurant kills seven including three children in Turkey as diners climb out windows to escape
SEVEN people have been killed after a horror explosion at a kebab shop in western Turkey, according to officials.
Terrifying footage showed diners climbing out of windows as they desperately tried to flee the roaring flames on Friday.
Guests were packed in the two-storey restaurant in the Nazilli district of Aydin when the blast occurred at around 3.35pm local time.
It is believed to have then triggered a ferocious fire at the eatery as emergency services rushed to the scene.
The governor of Aydin province, Huseyin Aksoy, said initial reports suggest a gas leak may have triggered the blast.
An employee at the kebab shop suggested there was an issue with a cooking gas canister.
Governor Aksoy announced that five others were injured in the incident, with one of them in a critical condition.
Three children sadly lost their lives in the horror incident.
Thick black smoke was seen billowing from the scene as firefighters battled to control the blaze.
Shocking video shared on social media showed the charred remains of the restaurant.
The windows and doors of the kebab shop were obliterated by the explosion, shattering glass over terrified guests.
A large crowd was seen watching on in horror as one petrified diner escaped out of an upper-floor window.
Two people are said to have daringly jumped from the smashed window.
One traumatised victim told Turkish broadcaster CNN Turk how she “barely” escaped with her life.
Merve Bayar, who worked as a cashier in the restaurant, was rushed to hospital after sustaining injuries in the blast.
She harrowingly explained: “We barely threw ourselves out. Everything happened within 1 minute.
“It suddenly caught fire and exploded. We were all in the furnace.”
Authorities announced they have arrested a suspect who they believe is responsible for the restaurant tragedy.
Minister of Justice of the Republic of Turkey, Bekir Bozdag, wrote in a tweet: “The person who allegedly caused the explosion was taken into custody.
“May our Lord not let such painful events happen to our people and our country again.”
It is the second tragedy to rock Turkey after five people were killed in the nearby city of Izmir when a crane collapsed.
Construction was underway on a hotel when the crane appeared to smash into the side of a building as it toppled.
Two others are also said to have been injured in the incident on Friday.
