Deadly explosion at Iron and steel plant in Turkiye

As of November 9, 2026, at least 17 people were killed and around a dozen injured in an explosion at the HABAS iron and steel factory near Izmir, Turkey. Initially, reports stated that three workers died and ten were missing, but updates raised the death toll to six after two more deaths were confirmed from among those initially reported as trapped or injured. The final tally of 17 fatalities came later in the day. Around 13 people were also injured in the blast. Rescue teams have been working at the site since Monday afternoon local time, searching for any remaining workers trapped under rubble.

The explosion occurred during a boiler replacement operation when an overhead crane fell into an industrial furnace used in liquid steel casting, triggering a gas line and causing a massive fire and subsequent explosion. The incident has drawn criticism over potential safety issues and negligence at the plant, which is one of Turkey’s leading steel producers. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan confirmed the deaths and stated that investigations are underway to determine responsibility for the tragedy.