An aerial view of the HABAŞ steel plant in Aliağa after the blast. (AA Photo)
Authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into a deadly explosion at an iron and steel plant in western Türkiye that killed 17 people, with six individuals detained as investigators examine possible negligence and safety failures.
The blast occurred during scheduled maintenance work at the HABAŞ Iron and Steel Factory in the Aliağa district of İzmir on Nov. 9 around midday. The explosion triggered a fire and caused parts of the industrial facility to collapse.
According to initial findings, a ceiling crane reportedly broke loose while a boiler was being replaced and fell into an electric arc furnace. The falling components struck a natural gas pipeline, triggering a powerful explosion.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan initially announced that 16 people had been killed and 13 injured, including two in critical condition. One of the critically injured workers later died in hospital, raising the death toll to 17.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said four prosecutors had been assigned to the investigation, while the Social Security Institution appointed a chief inspector to examine the incident. Six people have been detained as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said the accident took place during routine maintenance of the plant’s electric arc furnace, which is carried out every two weeks. He stressed that all aspects of the incident would be investigated, both administratively and judicially.
“Anyone found to have been negligent in the incident will be held accountable. No one should have any doubts about that,” Bayraktar told reporters during an inspection at the factory alongside Labor and Social Security Minister Vedat Işıkhan and Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu.
Işıkhan said 37 occupational health and safety specialists, two workplace doctors and a healthcare worker were assigned to the facility. He added that the Labor Ministry’s Guidance and Inspection Directorate had conducted inspections and audits at the factory at various times.
The minister said further examinations were underway to establish the circumstances of the accident and determine whether any negligence or shortcomings had contributed to the deaths.
