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

The army has launched a security operation in the area.

Last month, the rebels 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 PKK, considered a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the European Union and the United States, has been fighting for autonomy in the Kurdish majority southeast of Turkey since 1984.

The conflict has claimed some 45,000 lives, according to the Turkish army.