The blast occurred in the Besta region in Sirnak province when a vehicle carrying workers to a road construction site ran over a landmine planted by rebels from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the governor's statement said.

None of the wounded were in a life-threatening condition, it added.

The army immediately launched a security operation in the area.

Last month, the PKK announced that they were extending a ceasefire in their separatist campaign until July 15 in response to progress towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

They warned, however, that they would defend themselves if they came under attack from the Turkish military.

The rebels have been fighting for autonomy in the Kurdish majority southeast of Turkey since 1984 in a conflict that has claimed some 45,000 lives according to the Turkish army.

The group is considered a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the European Union and the United States.