On Monday, November 9, an explosion and a massive fire occurred at the HABAŞ Demir Çelik AŞ metallurgical plant in the Aliağa district of Izmir province, western Turkey. According to a statement by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan following a Cabinet meeting, 16 people died and 13 were injured in the accident. Rescue teams conducted search and rescue operations on the plant grounds throughout the day, and eyewitnesses reported a thick plume of black smoke rising over the production buildings.
Chronology of the incident
According to the Izmir provincial administration, the explosion occurred around noon. At the time of the accident, steel was being poured at the facility: an overhead crane reportedly snapped and fell into an industrial furnace, which, according to this version, led to the explosion and subsequent fire. Eyewitnesses who spoke to the Anadolu agency described a powerful blast and thick black smoke over the factory; published videos show a fire over one of the production units and clouds of dust rising into the air.
Diverging versions of the causes
The cause of the accident is interpreted in various ways. The Izmir provincial administration links the incident to an overhead crane falling into a furnace during steel pouring. The HABAŞ facility itself, according to media reports, stated that the explosion occurred during scheduled maintenance work on one of the electric arc furnaces. Some publications also mentioned a version involving an incident in a workshop where oxygen cylinders are refilled. An investigation launched into the incident is working to establish the exact circumstances.
Rescue operations and investigation
The fire that broke out after the explosion was brought under control and extinguished, but search and rescue operations continue on the plant's premises. Izmir Mayor Cemil Tugay noted that the exact number of dead and injured could only be determined after the debris was cleared, leaving it unclear whether other people might be trapped underneath. President Erdoğan announced that an official investigation has been launched.
Industrial context of Aliağa
The Aliağa district is considered one of Turkey's largest industrial hubs: it hosts metallurgical and chemical plants, an oil refinery, and the country's largest ship-recycling center. The region's ports play a crucial role in the transport of raw materials and industrial goods, making the safety of production processes at such sites a matter of significant regional and economic importance.
