6 killed in a steel factory explosion in Izmir, Turkey

Six people were killed and about 12 others were injured, Monday, as a result of an explosion that rocked an iron and steel factory near the tourist city of Izmir in western Türkiye, according to what the governor’s office announced.

Governor Cemil Tugay's office initially announced that three people were killed, 14 others were injured, and 10 were trapped under the rubble, but he later updated the toll, explaining that one of the injured had died, in addition to two people who were recovered from under the rubble, bringing the death toll to 6.

The explosion occurred around midday at the Habaş Demir Çelik factory in Ali Agha, about 60 kilometers north of Izmir, and officials reported that it caused a fire to break out in the facility.

DHA reported that preliminary results indicate that the explosion occurred when a crane fell inside a large industrial furnace used in the process of pouring liquid steel.

Izmir Mayor Cemil Togay said that rescue teams are continuing to work to remove the collapsed platform, explaining that those injured in the accident are factory workers.

The United States and Iran, through Qatar, are exchanging amendments to a framework document for an agreement dealing with the Iranian nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, according to CNN. The US administration is meeting with the Qatari side in Washington to discuss the proposals.

Reports indicate that Doha is carrying an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait in exchange for lifting the blockade and releasing $8 billion in frozen funds, amid disagreements within the US administration regarding the agreement.

Washington wants Iran not to have the capabilities necessary to make a nuclear weapon, while Tehran considers its nuclear program a matter of national sovereignty, and demands easing sanctions and ending the war on all fronts.

The White House is witnessing a division over the feasibility of the agreement, as some officials are pushing for a memorandum of understanding to end the war, while others oppose any agreement that might save the Iranian regime economically in light of intelligence reports of its collapse.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei confirmed that Iran’s proposal to relaunch talks to end the war is the most logical, stressing that removing enriched uranium from Iran is not on the table.