The death toll from a powerful explosion at an iron and steel plant in Izmir, Turkey, has risen to 17. Six people have been detained as suspects in connection with the incident.
“Operative Information Center-OMM” reports that the explosion occurred on November 9 at the HABAŞ iron and steel plant in the Bozköy area of Izmir’s Aliağa district.
Turkish Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu said another person, who had been receiving treatment in hospital in critical condition, had died. The death toll has therefore reached 17. According to the latest information, 13 people were injured.
The cause of the explosion has been disclosed
Preliminary findings indicate that the incident occurred during maintenance work and the replacement of equipment at the plant. Izmir Governor Süleyman Elban said materials fell into an electric arc furnace after an overhead crane toppled. Damage to a gas line then caused the explosion.
Turkey’s Minister of Labor and Social Security, Vedat Işıkhan, said preliminary findings showed that materials falling during maintenance work had damaged natural gas and oxygen pipes. The exact cause of the incident and any possible negligence are under investigation.
Six people detained
The Menemen Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has opened a criminal investigation into the explosion. Four prosecutors have been assigned to the case. Six people identified as having responsibility or culpability in the incident have been detained.
A fire that broke out at the plant after the explosion was extinguished by firefighters. Investigations are continuing to establish all the circumstances of the incident, including whether workplace safety rules were followed.
