Disaster at Habaş factory in Aliağa, Izmir: 17 deaths! Claim that workers were called despite the explosion

An explosion occurred at noon during planned maintenance work at the HABAŞ Iron and Steel Factory on Yeni Foça road in Aliağa district of Izmir.

It was stated that while the boiler was being replaced at the factory, the ceiling crane broke and fell into the arc furnace. When the falling pieces hit the natural gas line, a violent explosion occurred and a fire broke out in the factory.

Along with the explosion, some parts of the factory also collapsed.

LOSSES OF LIFE INCREASED TO 17

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that 16 people lost their lives and 13 people were injured, 2 seriously, in the explosion.

It was announced that one of the injured people who was taken to the hospital, whose condition was serious, died. Thus, the number of people who lost their lives in the explosion reached 17.

6 SUSPECTS RELATED TO THE INCIDENT WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek announced that 4 public prosecutors were assigned within the scope of the investigation into the explosion. The Social Security Institution also appointed a chief inspector.

6 people are detained within the scope of the investigation into the incident.

THREE MINISTERS INSPECTED THE REGION

Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar and Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu inspected the factory.

Bayraktar, who later made a statement to journalists, stated that the accident occurred as a result of the collapse of the crane in the electric arc furnace at the factory during routine maintenance work carried out every two weeks.

Bayraktar said that the identification efforts of those who lost their lives in the explosion are continuing and continued as follows:

"Anyone who was negligent in the incident will be dealt with decisively. No one should be worried about this issue. As the state, we take care of all the needs of our families. We will continue to stand by them. The incident will be investigated in all its aspects, both administratively and judicially."

Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan expressed his great sadness due to the explosion.

Explaining that all relevant institutions of the state were mobilized under the coordination of the governorship from the first moment of the incident, Işıkhan said, "There are 37 occupational health and safety experts, 2 workplace physicians and a health personnel in the workplace where the incident occurred. Audits and inspections were carried out at various periods by our Ministry's Guidance and Inspection Directorate regarding the workplace." he said.

Işıkhan stated that, as the Ministry, the necessary investigations and inspections were carried out to shed light on all aspects of the incident, and that they were following the process closely. Minister Işıkhan said:

"If anyone has negligence or fault, the judicial authorities will definitely take the necessary interventions and procedures. The life of every worker is precious to us."

The three ministers later visited the injured in the hospital.

THE CLAIM THAT WORKERS WERE CALLED DESPITE THE EXPLOSION

It was claimed that HABAŞ management called the workers working in departments other than the rolling mill where the explosion occurred to the workplace. It was reported that the workers were told, "Tomorrow (today), everyone should come to the workplace and be present in their units, but there will be no production."

A BROADCAST BAN WAS IMPOSED

In the decision taken by the Aliağa Criminal Judgeship of Peace upon the request of the Aliağa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was decided to ban all kinds of news, interviews, criticism and comments about the incident within the scope of the file until the investigation is completed.

In the decision, it was stated that the posts in question caused misinformation to the public and prevented the proper conduct of the investigation.

The judge's decision is based on Article 3/2 of the Press Law No. 5187. received within the scope of article.