Turkey steel factory blast kills at least 17 people
At least 17 people have died, and 12 others have been injured in an explosion at an iron and steel factory near the port city of Izmir in western Turkey.
An explosion at an iron and steel factory in Aliaga, near Izmir port city, Turkey, resulted in at least 17 deaths and 12 injuries, according to authorities. All victims were workers at the Habas Demir Celik plant, one of Turkey's leading steel producers. Footage from the scene depicted a massive fire and a towering plume of smoke. The blast occurred around midday after a crane, transporting a replacement boiler, collapsed, resulting in debris falling onto a furnace below.
Workplace accidents are a persistent issue in Turkey, as reported by the Turkish Health and Safety Labour Watch, an independent civil society organization. Initially, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reported 16 fatalities, but Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu later stated that one of the critically injured died later, raising the death toll to 17. Eyewitnesses described the explosion as so intense that it shook the ground, leading one person to mistakenly believe an earthquake had occurred.
The factory's owners claimed the accident took place during routine maintenance work on an electric arc furnace at the plant. Izmir Governor Süleyman Elban mentioned that some individuals may still be trapped under the rubble. Following the incident, Erdoğan confirmed the deaths and pledged to initiate an investigation, while search and rescue efforts continued. At least five individuals have been arrested, according to BBC News's Turkish service, based on local media reports.
The Habas plant is situated in Aliaga district of Izmir, a significant port and one of Turkey's principal shipbreaking centers.
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Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Blast at steel plant kills 16 in Turkey mining.com
