A child died and three others were injured Sunday when a buried improvised explosive detonated in the southeastern Turkish province of Şırnak.

Security sources speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions of talking to media said the incident happened in Silopi district, in a streambed between the Barbaros and Karşıyaka neighborhoods.

Sources said the PKK explosive detonated, injuring four children aged between 8 and 13 years old.

Nine-year-old Enes Erdem died in Silopi State Hospital while the situation of the remaining children -- Kerem Kültür, Diyar İnan and Samet Erdem -- remains critical.

Improvised explosives are commonly used by the PKK terrorist organization in ambushes against Turkish security forces, but often claim civilian lives.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU -- resumed its 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish state in July 2015.

Since then, more than 440 members of the security forces, including troops, police officers and village guards, have been killed.