Explosion at a steel plant in western Türkiye kills at least 6, injures 13, and leaves 8 missing
Search and rescue personnel are trying their best to search for eight missing workers. The accident occurred when the overhead crane collapsed and fell into the furnace.
Quick Look
- A large-scale explosion and fire occurred at the Habas Steel Plant in Yaliga Town, Izmir Province, Türkiye, killing at least 6 people, injuring 13 people, and leaving 8 people missing.
- Preliminary investigation showed that the accident was caused by the overhead crane collapsing and falling into the furnace.
- The authorities have launched an investigation and are continuing search and rescue operations.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Habas Steel Plant was established in 1987 with an annual production capacity of 4.5 million tons.
A massive explosion and fire broke out at a steel plant in western Turkey today, killing at least six people, Turkish officials said. Rescue workers are still searching for eight missing workers.
The Associated Press reported that a fire broke out at the HABAS steel plant in Aliaga Town, Izmir Province, Turkey. The latest statement issued by the provincial governor's office pointed out that the accident also injured 13 people, two of whom were in critical condition.
The statement said that search and rescue personnel were trying their best to search for the eight people trapped under the rubble.
Izmir Mayor Cemil Tugay said the exact number of casualties could not be confirmed until the rubble was cleared.
Footage broadcast by NTV showed a fierce fire inside the factory, with towering smoke billowing out.
According to Türkiye's official Anadolu news agency, a witness at the scene said: "The ground was shaking and the explosion was powerful."
Another witness also said: "It felt like the crust beneath us was moving. I thought there was an earthquake."
Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci said emergency responders on site continued to put out the fire while conducting search and rescue operations.
The governor's office said the explosion occurred around noon local time (0900 GMT) when a crane collapsed and crashed into the furnace during liquid steel casting operations at the factory. The authorities have launched an investigation.
According to the Habas website, the steel plant was established in 1987 and has an annual production capacity of 4.5 million tons.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Authorities will complete debris removal from the scene and confirm the final number of casualties.
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- What is the exact progress of the search and rescue of the missing persons?
- What are the specific technical reasons for the collapse of the overhead crane?
