Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Six people have been killed and 13 injured in an explosion at the Habaş Demir-Çelik steel plant in Türkiye’s Izmir Province. Another eight people are reported missing, Turkish media outlets said.
The explosion occurred at around 12:00 on 9 November during steel casting. Preliminary reports suggest that an overhead crane malfunctioned and fell into a furnace, triggering an explosion and subsequent fire.
According to NTV, the incident was caused by the failure of an overhead crane, which fell into an electric arc furnace while molten steel was being processed.
Search and rescue operations are continuing at the site. According to the Sabah newspaper, two of the injured are in critical condition. Local authorities have warned that the number of fatalities and injuries could rise. Earlier reports said that more people might be trapped under the rubble.
Witnesses said they felt a strong vibration in the ground during the explosion and initially mistook it for an earthquake.
Türkiye’s Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said the prosecutor’s office in Menemen district had launched an investigation into the circumstances of the incident.
Izmir Governor Cemil Tugay said the final death toll would be established after the rubble had been cleared.
