A major industrial accident occurred at the HABAS steel plant in Aliaga, Izmir province, resulting in the deaths of at least 17 people. The explosion took place at midday local time, according to reports from the scene. Witnesses described the force of the blast as feeling like an earthquake.
The incident was triggered when a crane, which was in the process of lifting a replacement boiler, collapsed and fell directly into a furnace used for liquid steel casting. The collapse resulted in a fire that claimed the lives of factory workers and left 13 others injured, with two of the victims currently in critical condition.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the tragedy during a televised speech following a scheduled Cabinet meeting. He expressed his condolences and confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the disaster. Erdogan stated that officials will examine the circumstances surrounding the incident, including potential negligence and the identification of those responsible.
Izmir Mayor Cemil Tugay confirmed on social media that emergency rescue teams are actively working to clear the collapsed platform and manage the site. The HABAS plant, which was established in 1987, is one of Turkey's largest privately owned steel producers and maintains an annual production capacity of 4.5 million tons. Following the news of the disaster, workers' groups have raised concerns, noting that the facility has a long history of documented safety issues.
