HABAS steel plant explosion in Aliağa kills at least 17

HABAS Demir Celik Aliağa industrial explosion steel plant accident Turkey

An explosion and subsequent fire at the HABAS Demir Celik steel plant in Aliağa, near Izmir, has killed at least 17 workers, according to updated reports from Turkish authorities. The incident occurred around midday on Monday during maintenance work involving the replacement of an industrial boiler.

According to Izmir Governor Süleyman Elban, the disaster was triggered when an overhead crane collapsed into an electric arc furnace during the casting of liquid steel. The impact reportedly caused a violent explosion and ignited a massive fire. Eyewitnesses described the blast as feeling like an earthquake.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced both judicial and administrative investigations to determine the cause of the accident and identify any potential negligence. Four prosecutors from the Menemen Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office have been assigned to the case. At least 12 people were reported injured, with some remaining in critical condition.

Rescue teams worked to extract workers trapped under the rubble. While the plant typically employs over 300 workers during full production, approximately 200 were on site due to the scheduled maintenance at the time of the blast.

Entities

AFAD · Akın Gürlek · Aliağa · Eyüp Eğinli · HABAS Demir Çelik · HABAŞ · HABAŞ Demir Çelik A. Ş. · HABAŞ Demir Çelik A.Ş. · HABAŞ Demir-Çelik · HABAŞ Iron and Steel Factory · Mustafa Çiftçi · Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 7 SOURCES] The death toll from the explosion has risen to 10 people. www.yenialanya.com · www.haberport.com
[● 42 SOURCES] The explosion was likely caused by an overhead crane breaking and falling into an electric arc furnace during liquid steel casting. www.blick.ch · www.winnipegfreepress.com · wtop.com · www.aksiyon.com.tr · www.anadoludabugun.com.tr · +30 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] A worker named Eyüp Eğinli died at the same facility on November 5, 2026.
[● 12 SOURCES] Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi confirmed that emergency teams are conducting search, rescue, and firefighting operations. www.blick.ch · www.winnipegfreepress.com · wtop.com · face.ba · n1info.hr · +4 more
[● 51 SOURCES] An explosion occurred at the HABAŞ steel plant in Aliağa, Izmir, around 12:00 local time on November 9, 2026. www.blick.ch · www.winnipegfreepress.com · wtop.com · www.efsyn.gr · pelop.gr · +31 more
[● 25 SOURCES] 15 people were injured in the explosion. www.blick.ch · www.winnipegfreepress.com · wtop.com · www.efsyn.gr · pelop.gr · +13 more
[● 16 SOURCES] Four prosecutors from the Menemen Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office have been assigned to investigate the incident. www.anadoludabugun.com.tr · www.telegraf.rs · www.dan.co.me · dariknews.bg · face.ba · +9 more
[● 15 SOURCES] The death toll from the explosion has risen to 16 people. www.ieidiseis.gr · news.yam.md · www.arabnews.pk · www.newindianexpress.com · www.gazeteilksayfa.com · +6 more
[● 6 SOURCES] Six people have been detained in connection with the explosion. www.levante-emv.com · nos.nl · www.newsday.com
[● 14 SOURCES] 13 people were injured in the explosion. www.arabnews.pk · news.yam.md · www.ieidiseis.gr · www.newindianexpress.com · www.gazeteilksayfa.com · +6 more
[● 7 SOURCES] The death toll from the explosion has risen to 17 people. www.tt.com · atarde.com.br · www.yenisafak.com · www.politika.rs · www.cnbcindonesia.com · +1 more
[● 3 SOURCES] There were approximately 200 workers on site at the time of the explosion due to maintenance work. www.newsday.com · www.yenisafak.com · www.aksiyon.com.tr