A major explosion at the Habaş steelworks in Aliağa, Izmir, has killed ten people and injured 15, with rescue teams continuing to search for four workers believed to be trapped under the rubble.
The incident occurred at around noon on 9 November at the company’s facility in the Aliağa district, one of Türkiye’s major steelmaking centres.
According to a statement by the Izmir Governor’s Office, the preliminary assessment is that an overhead crane broke away and fell into an electric arc furnace during liquid steel casting operations, triggering the explosion.
A fire broke out following the blast, prompting the deployment of firefighters, medical teams and search-and-rescue personnel. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals, while rescue operations continued at the site.
Authorities have launched an investigation to establish the full circumstances of the accident, notes Kallanish.
The extent of the damage to Habaş’ steelmaking operations and any potential production disruptions remain unclear. The company has not yet provided details on the operational impact of the incident or when production might resume.
Habaş is one of Türkiye’s major industrial groups, with 4.5 million tonnes/year of steelmaking capacity in Aliağa.
Author: Burcak Alpman Türkiye
