OMM Newsroom
At least 17 people have died in an explosion at the HABAŞ iron and steel plant in the Aliağa district of İzmir province in western Turkey. A criminal investigation has been opened into the circumstances of the accident, which involved a crane collapsing.
The explosion occurred around midday on Monday, Nov. 9, AnewZ reported. Footage broadcast by local television showed thick clouds of dust rising from the plant and rescue workers trying to reach employees trapped beneath the debris.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan initially said 16 people had been killed and 13 injured. Turkish media later reported that the death toll had risen to 17. Reports differed on the number of injured.
Cause of explosion under investigation
İzmir Governor Süleyman Elban said the accident occurred during maintenance work. According to him, an overhead crane fell, and materials struck a natural gas line, causing the explosion.
The governor said production had been halted because equipment was being replaced. Earlier information from the governor’s office had suggested that the crane may have fallen onto an electric arc furnace during steel casting. The exact sequence of events and the reason for the crane’s collapse have not yet been established.
Differences in the initial reports have left questions about the cause of the explosion unresolved.
Condolences expressed to Turkey
Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was deeply saddened by the tragedy, offered condolences to the families of those killed and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the state and people of brotherly Turkey over this tragedy,” the ministry said in a statement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered condolences to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Turkish people on the social media platform X. He described the explosion as a grave tragedy that had caused deaths and injuries, and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also said she was deeply saddened by the loss of life. She offered condolences to the families of those killed and wished the injured workers a full and swift recovery.
Rescue teams search plant
Firefighters, emergency medical services and search-and-rescue teams were sent to the plant. Rescuers searched damaged buildings for missing workers.
Officials initially said 10 people were trapped beneath the debris. The death toll rose as rescuers recovered bodies, while injured people were taken to nearby hospitals.
The Menemen Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office opened a criminal investigation and assigned four prosecutors to the case. Turkish media also reported that six people had been detained. The Ministry of Labor appointed a chief inspector to investigate the incident.
Investigators are expected to examine the crane’s condition, maintenance procedures and safety measures at the plant. No findings have been announced on the definitive cause of the incident or whether negligence was involved.
The investigation will determine whether the explosion was linked to equipment failure, hazardous working conditions or other factors. Officials will also need to clarify the discrepancies in the casualty figures reported during the emergency and establish the whereabouts of all workers.
