--- title: "Blast at HABAŞ steel plant in Izmir: 16 dead, 13 injured, search under rubble continues" description: "An explosion and fire occurred on November 9 at the HABAŞ metallurgical plant in Aliağa (Izmir, Turkey). According to President Erdoğan, 16 people died and 13 were injured; searches under the rubble are ongoing." date: 2026-11-09T19:01:37.374Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/blast-at-habas-steel-plant-izmir tags: [turkey, izmir, industrial-accident, steel-plant, habas, explosion] author: "Roman V." publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Blast at HABAŞ steel plant in Izmir: 16 dead, 13 injured, search under rubble continues ![Aerial view of the HABAŞ metallurgical plant in Turkey after an explosion and fire](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/09/vzryv-na-metallurgicheskom-zavode-habas-v-izmime/vzryv-na-metallurgicheskom-zavode-habas-v-izmime-1.webp) ## Key Points - On November 9, an explosion and fire occurred at the HABAŞ Demir Çelik AŞ plant in Aliağa (Izmir). - According to President Erdoğan, 16 people died and 13 were injured. - Versions of the cause vary: a crane falling into a furnace (administration) or scheduled maintenance of an electric arc furnace (enterprise). - The fire has been extinguished, and search and rescue operations and an investigation are continuing. 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. ## Accounts differ ### Cause of the explosion at the HABAŞ plant - **Izmir provincial administration:** During the steel pouring process, an overhead crane snapped and fell into an industrial furnace, leading to the accident. ([dw.com](https://www.dw.com/ru/pri-vzryve-na-metallurgiceskom-zavode-v-turcii-pogibli-16-celovek/a-79900373)) - **HABAŞ Enterprise:** The explosion occurred during scheduled maintenance work on one of the electric arc furnaces. ([eurointegration.com.ua](https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/rus/news/2026/11/9/7249625/)) - **Media (according to the company):** The explosion occurred in a workshop where oxygen cylinders are refilled. ([ua.news](https://ua.news/ru/world/video-u-turechchini-zbilshilasia-kilkist-zhertv-vibukhu-na-metkombinati)) *Where they agree:* An explosion and fire occurred at the HABAŞ facility in Aliağa on November 9, resulting in the deaths of 16 people, according to the president. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Взрыв на металлургическом заводе в Турции: 16 погибших](https://www.dw.com/ru/pri-vzryve-na-metallurgiceskom-zavode-v-turcii-pogibli-16-celovek/a-79900373) - Primary source: 16 dead, 13 injured; administration version regarding the crane falling into the furnace during steel pouring; Erdoğan's statement on the investigation; words from Mayor Tugay. - [Видео: в Турции увеличилось число жертв взрыва на металлургическом комбинате](https://ua.news/ru/world/video-u-turechchini-zbilshilasia-kilkist-zhertv-vibukhu-na-metkombinati) - Confirms 16 dead based on Erdoğan's statement; company version regarding planned maintenance of an electric arc furnace; mention of an oxygen cylinder refilling workshop. - [Взрыв на заводе в Турции: число погибших возросло до 16](https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/rus/news/2026/11/9/7249625/) - Confirms 16 dead, fire extinguished, search ongoing; company version regarding planned maintenance of an electric arc furnace. - [Произошел взрыв на металлургическом заводе: погибли 16 человек, есть раненые](https://tsn.ua/ru/svit/vzryv-na-metallurgicheskom-zavode-pogibli-16-chelovek-est-ranenye-3212187.html) - Confirms 16 dead and 13 injured in Aliağa (Izmir province). ## FAQ ### How many people were injured or killed in the explosion at the HABAŞ plant? According to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 16 people died and 13 were injured. Exact figures, according to the Mayor of Izmir, may be updated after the rubble is cleared. ### When and where did the explosion occur? On Monday, November 9, around noon, at the HABAŞ Demir Çelik AŞ metallurgical plant in the Aliağa district of Izmir province, western Turkey. ### What caused the explosion? Versions differ: the Izmir provincial administration points to an overhead crane falling into an industrial furnace during steel pouring, while the company cited scheduled maintenance work on an electric arc furnace. An investigation is determining the circumstances. ### Are rescue operations still ongoing? Yes. The fire has been extinguished, but search and rescue operations continue on the site, and it is possible that other people remain under the rubble.