12.11.2026 06:40
A new development has occurred in the investigation into the explosion at the HABAŞ Iron and Steel Factory in the Aliağa district of İzmir, which killed 18 people. Of the 11 suspects taken into custody, 9 were arrested, while 2 people, including the chairman of the company's board of directors, were released under the condition of house arrest.
Within the scope of the investigation conducted by the Aliağa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the gendarmerie procedures of 11 suspects who had been taken into custody were completed. Of the suspects referred to the courthouse, 9 were arrested by the duty magistrate they were brought before and sent to prison.
For 2 suspects, including the company's chairman of the board, a judicial control measure in the form of house arrest was decided. Thus, the first arrest decisions were made in the investigation into the explosion in which 18 people lost their lives.
11 PEOPLE FROM FACTORY MANAGEMENT HAD BEEN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
Within the scope of the investigation launched after the explosion, 11 people working in the factory's management and technical staff had been taken into custody. Among the suspects were the company's chairman of the board, the factory manager and employer representative, the quality and planning manager, the administrative manager, the company's Aliağa branch manager, the steel mill manager, the mechanical maintenance chief, the steel mill chief, the periodic inspection engineer, the department engineer, and the crane mechanical maintenance engineer.
Within the scope of the investigation, the judicial process aimed at determining responsibilities at the factory where the explosion occurred is ongoing.
WHAT HAD HAPPENED?
An explosion had occurred on November 9, 2026, at the HABAŞ Iron and Steel Factory operating in the Aliağa district of İzmir. The explosion at the factory, where a large number of employees were present, had resulted in the deaths of 18 people.
After the disaster, a judicial investigation was launched by the Aliağa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, and action was taken against those responsible working in the factory's management and technical units. Within the scope of the investigation, in addition to the company's senior executives, personnel responsible for production, maintenance, and technical control processes had also been taken into custody.
While the judicial examination regarding the exact cause of the explosion and how responsibilities were distributed continues, as a result of the proceedings of the 11 suspects in custody before the magistrate, 9 people were arrested, and a house arrest decision was issued for 2 people.
INITIAL FINDINGS ON THE CAUSE OF THE EXPLOSION
According to initial determinations, the disaster occurred during the liquid steel casting process at the factory. A severe explosion occurred as a result of the overhead crane breaking and falling into the arc furnace, and a fire broke out afterward. Intense smoke rose from the facility due to the impact of the explosion, and great panic occurred in the surrounding area.
Upon notification, numerous firefighting, medical, police, and search and rescue teams were dispatched to the factory. The fire was brought under control through the teams' intervention, and search and rescue efforts were launched in the rubble. AFAD teams also supported the efforts.
SAD NEWS ALSO CAME FROM AN INJURED WORKER
In the initial statements made after the explosion, it was reported that 17 workers had lost their lives and 15 workers were injured. With the death of Abdullah Kılınç, who had been taken to the hospital injured, on November 11, the death toll rose to 18.
In statements made on the same date, it was reported that search and rescue efforts were continuing to find Barış Güney, who was stated to be missing. The expert examination launched to determine the exact cause of the explosion and possible negligence is still ongoing.