Explosion at Izmir‑area steel plant kills at least 16 workers

An explosion ripped through the Habas Demir Celik steel plant in the coastal district of Aliaga, north of Izmir, on Monday morning. According to the Turkish health minister, the blast killed 17 workers and injured 12, while the Al Jazeera report cited 16 deaths and 13 injuries. The incident occurred at approximately 11:46 a.m. local time when an overhead crane, being used to replace a boiler, fell onto an electric arc furnace, causing a massive fire and a column of black smoke.

Eyewitnesses described the blast as shaking the ground, with some initially believing an earthquake had struck. Deniz Ulker, a local resident, said thick black smoke poured from the chimney and the site was quickly engulfed in flames. Video footage released by local media showed a towering plume of smoke and rescue crews working amid rubble and debris.

Turkish officials confirmed that search and rescue operations continued throughout the day. Izmir Governor Süleyman Elban said some victims were still trapped under the collapsed structure, and at least five people were arrested in connection with the incident, according to BBC News. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced a formal investigation and pledged to examine safety practices at the plant, which is one of the country's major steel producers.

Labor groups highlighted a history of safety concerns at the facility. The Izmir chapter of Turkey's Labour Party noted that seven employees had died in accidents at the plant over the past decade and warned that maintenance standards were insufficient. The European Union and Azerbaijan issued statements of condolence following the tragedy.