On November 9, 2026, a powerful explosion at a steel plant in western Turkey triggered a catastrophic fire, resulting in the deaths of at least ten individuals. Rescue teams are currently engaged in efforts to locate four workers who remain unaccounted for.
According to reports from the Associated Press, Suleyman Elban, the governor of Izmir province, confirmed that the incident occurred at the HABAS factory located in Aliaga, a district within the province. In addition to the fatalities, the explosion caused injuries to fifteen people, with two of them in critical condition. Governor Elban further emphasized that search and rescue teams are actively working to find four individuals who are believed to be trapped beneath the debris.
The HABAS steel plant has a production capacity of up to 4.5 million tons of steel annually and has been operating since its establishment in 1987, as detailed on the company’s website.
Earlier statements from the governor’s office indicated that the accident initially resulted in three fatalities, along with fourteen injuries and ten individuals reported missing.
Cemil Tugay, the mayor of Izmir, noted that only after clearing the site can an accurate count of casualties be established.
Footage broadcast by Turkey’s NTV television revealed raging fires within the plant, with thick plumes of smoke billowing into the sky.
Witness Nuri Ali Ulker described the scene, stating, “There was a tremendous vibration on the ground. It was very intense.”
Another witness, Deniz Ulker, recounted the moment of the explosion, saying, “It felt as if the very ground beneath us was shifting. I initially thought it was an earthquake.”
Mustafa Ciftci, the Minister of the Interior, reported that emergency response teams are not only working to extinguish the fire but are also engaged in the search for victims. The injured have since been transported to nearby hospitals, where their conditions are being closely monitored.
According to the governor’s office, the explosion occurred around noon local time while the plant was conducting molten steel casting operations. A bridge crane collapsed, falling into a furnace and igniting the blast. An investigation into the incident has been initiated by the authorities.
In a related development, Minister of Justice Akin Gürlek announced that four prosecutors have been assigned to oversee the investigation into this tragic event.
This incident has raised significant concerns regarding safety protocols within industrial facilities and underscores the urgent need for rigorous safety measures to prevent similar disasters in the future. As rescue operations continue, the community remains hopeful for the safe recovery of those still missing.