At least 17 killed in Turkish steel factory explosion
An explosion at the Habas Demir Celik plant in Aliaga caused a crane to fall into a furnace, according to authorities.
At least 17 people died and 12 others were injured following an explosion at the Habas Demir Celik iron and steel factory in Aliaga, western Turkey, on Monday. The incident occurred around midday near the port city of Izmir, according to reports from BBC News and The New Indian Express.
Izmir Governor Süleyman Elban said the blast happened when an overhead crane carrying a replacement boiler collapsed and fell into an electric arc furnace. The company stated the accident took place during scheduled maintenance work on one of the plant's furnaces.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan confirmed the deaths and announced that investigations are underway to establish if there was any negligence. Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu noted the death toll rose to 17 after a critically injured worker died from their injuries.
Eyewitnesses described the explosion as feeling like an earthquake. Izmir Mayor Cemil Tugay said rescue teams were working to remove a collapsed platform, noting that the final number of casualties might change as rubble is cleared.
The Labour Party claimed this was the third fatal incident at the factory in three weeks. The Turkish Health and Safety Labor Watch stated that workplace accidents remain a chronic problem in the country. Local media reports indicate at least five people have been arrested.