09.11.2026 17:10
The death toll from the explosion at the HABAŞ Iron and Steel Factory in the Aliağa district of İzmir has risen to 10, with 15 people injured, 4 of them seriously. As efforts continue to reach 4 workers trapped under the rubble, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received information from Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi and Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar. Çiftçi, Bayraktar, and Labor Minister Vedat Işıkhan are heading to the region.
In Aliağa, an explosion at an iron and steel factory and the ensuing fire have raised the death toll to 10. After the explosion, the top levels of the state took action, and an investigation was launched into the incident.
GOVERNOR ELBAN: DEATH TOLL RISES TO 10
İzmir Governor Süleyman Elban announced that 10 people lost their lives in the explosion and 15 people were injured, 4 of them seriously. Search and rescue efforts continue to reach 4 workers trapped under the rubble.
In its initial statement, the Governor's Office announced that 3 people had lost their lives, and then reported that the death toll rose to 6 after 1 person who was taken to hospital seriously injured and 2 people removed from the rubble also died.
PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM MINISTERS
President Erdoğan received information from Minister of Interior Mustafa Çiftçi and Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar regarding the accident at the iron and steel factory in Aliağa. It was learned that Çiftçi and Bayraktar went to İzmir.
Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan also set off for İzmir to conduct inspections at the scene. Işıkhan announced that a chief inspector had been assigned by the Social Security Institution to investigate the explosion.
THE EXPLOSION OCCURRED AROUND NOON
According to the statement by the İzmir Governor's Office, the explosion occurred around 12:00 at the HABAŞ Iron and Steel Inc. facilities operating in the Bozköy Neighborhood of Aliağa district. After the explosion, thick smoke rose into the sky from the facility, and a fire broke out at the factory.
A large number of firefighting, medical, police and search and rescue teams were dispatched to the area. The fire that broke out after the explosion was extinguished by the teams' intervention.
RACE AGAINST TIME FOR 4 WORKERS UNDER THE RUBBLE
Search and rescue teams from AFAD, the fire department and the police are carrying out work to reach the workers trapped under the rubble. In addition to teams from neighboring districts, the Manisa AFAD team is also supporting the efforts.
One of the injured taken to Aliağa State Hospital was transferred to İzmir City Hospital by helicopter ambulance. Relatives of the injured continue to wait in front of the hospital.
MINISTER ÇİFTÇİ: OUR STATE IS IN THE FIELD WITH ALL ITS MEANS
Minister of Interior Mustafa Çiftçi said, “From the first moment of the incident, all our relevant units have been continuing search and rescue, extinguishing and response efforts in the field in a coordinated manner without interruption. Our injured brothers and sisters have been transferred to hospitals, and their health conditions are being closely monitored. Our state is in the field with all its means.”
4 PROSECUTORS ASSIGNED
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek said, “Our Menemen Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has immediately launched an investigation into the incident, and 4 public prosecutors have been assigned. While our public prosecutors and the expert committee are conducting inspections at the scene, search and rescue efforts continue to reach our workers under the rubble.”
HABAŞ: ACCIDENT DURING PLANNED MAINTENANCE
In a statement from the HABAŞ Aliağa Iron and Steel Factory, it was stated that the accident occurred during planned maintenance work carried out in one of the electric arc furnaces. The statement said, “Unfortunately, we have colleagues who lost their lives and were injured as a result of the sad accident.” It was noted that an investigation is being carried out in coordination with official institutions to determine the causes of the accident.
“THE GROUND SHOOK, IT WAS VERY VIOLENT”
Nuri Ali Ülker, who was near the factory during the explosion, said, “Then fire engines and ambulances started arriving. The ground shook. It was very violent.” Eyewitness Deniz Ülker said, “It was as if the earth's crust shifted beneath us; I thought it was an earthquake.”