13.11.2026 11:04
A striking claim has been made about Mehmet Rüştü Başaran, the owner of the HABAŞ Iron and Steel Factory in İzmir, where workers lost their lives. It was alleged that Başaran, who is claimed to have had workers' social security entries and exits processed in order to pay them less severance pay, owns more than 80 luxury cars, including some limited-production models. The total value of the collection was stated to exceed 30 million euros (approximately 1.67 billion TL).
After the explosion at the HABAŞ Iron and Steel Factory in İzmir's Aliağa district that claimed the lives of 18 workers, new allegations have been raised about the company's Board of Directors Chairman Mehmet Rüştü Başaran. Başaran, who is alleged to have arranged social security entry and exit registrations in order to reduce the workers' severance pay, has been claimed to own a collection worth more than 30 million euros consisting of more than 80 luxury automobiles.
NEW ALLEGATION ABOUT THE OWNER OF THE FACTORY WHERE 18 WORKERS DIED
While the investigation continues into the explosion that occurred on November 9 at the HABAŞ Iron and Steel Factory in İzmir's Aliağa district and killed 18 workers, attention-grabbing allegations about the company's Board of Directors Chairman Mehmet Rüştü Başaran have come to the agenda. It was stated that 9 suspects were arrested within the scope of the investigation, and that a house arrest decision was issued for Başaran. After allegations that social security entry and exit registrations were made for workers at the factory in order to reduce their severance pay, this time Başaran's luxury automobile collection became a matter of debate.
MORE THAN 80 LUXURY AUTOMOBILES
According to a report by Sabah newspaper, it was alleged that Başaran owns a private collection consisting of more than 80 luxury automobiles. It was claimed that the collection also includes rare super sports models produced in limited numbers worldwide and closely followed by automobile enthusiasts.
THE COLLECTION'S VALUE EXCEEDS 30 MILLION EUROS
According to information said to be featured on Agent4Stars, an international luxury automobile and collector car platform, the total value of the automobile collection alleged to belong to Başaran exceeds 30 million euros... While it was stated that this amount corresponds to approximately 1 billion 672 million 825 thousand 500 liras, it was reported that the collection includes specially produced and rare automobiles.
MODELS PRODUCED IN LIMITED NUMBERS
The vehicles said to be included in Başaran's luxury collection, which also reportedly includes models produced in limited numbers, are as follows;
WORKERS' SOCIAL SECURITY ENTRY AND EXIT REGISTRATIONS ALSO A MATTER OF DEBATE
Previously, an allegation had also been put forward that social security entry and exit registrations were made for workers at the factory in order to reduce their seniority periods and pay less compensation. While these allegations have not yet been finalized, the luxury automobile collection that came to the agenda after the disaster in which 18 workers lost their lives added a new dimension to debates about the factory management.
18 WORKERS LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE FACTORY EXPLOSION
On November 9, an explosion occurred during maintenance work in the steelworks section of the HABAŞ Iron and Steel Factory in İzmir's Aliağa district. According to the information provided, in the incident that began when the overhead crane broke and fell into one of the electric arc furnaces during work being carried out there, the broken pieces hit the natural gas line and a fire broke out. In the disaster, 18 workers lost their lives and 15 workers were injured. A technical investigation was launched to determine the exact cause of the explosion and possible negligence.