Turkey: 10 Dead, 15 Injured in Steel Plant Explosion Near Izmir

Ten people were killed and 15 others injured on Monday following an explosion at a steel plant near the city of Izmir in western Turkey, which triggered a fire and caused parts of the facility to collapse, as rescue teams continued to search for workers trapped under the rubble.

Izmir Governor Suleyman Elban announced the casualty toll shortly before 5 p.m. local time, while Turkish media reported that four of the injured were in critical condition.

The explosion occurred around midday at the Hapash Demir Celik plant in the Aliaga district, approximately 60 kilometers north of Izmir, causing a fire inside the facility.

According to the Turkish Demir Agency (DHA), initial findings suggest the explosion was caused by a crane falling into a large industrial furnace used for pouring molten steel.

Footage broadcast by the agency showed thick plumes of black smoke rising, as flames engulfed one of the plant’s facilities.

For his part, Turkish Minister of Justice Akin Kirisci announced on the X platform that an investigation into the incident had been launched, emphasizing that search and rescue operations would continue to reach workers trapped under the debris.

Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tunç Soyer stated that rescue teams were continuing to clear the collapsed structure, clarifying that all the injured were plant workers.

The Anadolu Agency quoted eyewitness Deniz Ulker as saying he felt the ground shake while passing near the plant, initially believing an earthquake had occurred, before seeing thick black smoke rising from the facility and a fire breaking out near the chimney.