A powerful explosion late Thursday night at an oil drilling site operated by the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) has left seven workers injured, two of them critically, according to local officials.

The incident occurred at the Üçtepe-1 oil well, located along the Diyarbakır-Batman highway. The blast, which shook the surrounding area, sparked a fire that quickly engulfed part of the facility. Emergency health teams, firefighters, and gendarmerie units were immediately dispatched to the scene.

Rescue teams swiftly brought the fire under control and provided first aid to the injured workers on-site before transferring them to hospitals in Diyarbakır for further treatment. Health authorities later confirmed that two of the workers remain in critical condition due to the severity of their injuries.

The exact cause of the explosion has not yet been determined. Authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident.

TPAO has not issued an official statement as of Friday morning. Local officials assured the public that safety protocols have been activated and that all necessary measures are being taken to secure the site and prevent further risk.

The Üçtepe-1 site is part of ongoing oil exploration efforts in southeastern Türkiye, a region known for its petroleum reserves. (ILKHA)