At least 17 people have been reported killed in an explosion at a steel plant in western Türkiye, after a crane collapsed during maintenance work. The disaster has prompted a criminal investigation into what went wrong at the industrial facility.
The blast struck the HABAS iron and steel plant in Aliaga, in Izmir province, at around midday on Monday, 9 November. Footage broadcast by local television showed thick clouds of dust rising above the site as emergency crews rushed to rescue workers trapped beneath the rubble.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan initially confirmed 16 deaths and 13 injuries. Turkish media later raised the death toll to 17, although reports differed on the number of injured workers.
Izmir Governor Süleyman Elban said the accident occurred during maintenance work, when an overhead crane fell and materials struck a natural gas line, triggering the explosion.
Production had been suspended while equipment was being replaced, according to the governor.
Earlier findings from the Governor's Office had suggested the crane fell into an electric arc furnace during steel casting. Investigators have yet to establish the precise sequence of events or why the crane collapsed.
The conflicting early accounts leave important questions about the cause of the explosion unresolved.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry said it was deeply saddened by the tragedy and offered condolences to the victims' families, while wishing those injured a speedy recovery.
“We offer our deepest condolences to the state and people of brotherly Türkiye in connection with this tragedy,” the ministry said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also expressed sympathy to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Turkish people in a post on X, describing the explosion as a deeply distressing tragedy.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was deeply saddened by the loss of life and extended her condolences to the victims' families.
Firefighters, ambulances and search teams were deployed to the plant, where emergency workers searched damaged structures for missing employees.
Authorities initially reported 10 people trapped beneath the rubble. The death toll subsequently rose as rescuers recovered bodies and injured workers were taken to nearby hospitals.
The Menemen Chief Public Prosecutor's Office opened a criminal investigation, assigning four prosecutors to the case. Turkish media also reported that six people had been detained.
The Labour Ministry separately assigned a chief inspector to examine the incident.
Investigators are expected to assess the crane's condition, maintenance procedures and safety measures in place at the facility. No definitive cause or finding of negligence has been announced.
The investigation will determine whether the explosion resulted from equipment failure, unsafe working conditions or other factors.
Authorities must also reconcile the casualty figures reported during the emergency response and establish whether all workers have been accounted for.
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