13.11.2026 08:30
After the explosion at the HABAŞ Iron and Steel factory in Aliağa, İzmir, in which 19 workers lost their lives, a house arrest decision was issued for the company's Chairman of the Board, Mehmet Rüştü Başaran. It was claimed that Başaran will spend his house arrest at the Gazioğlu Yalı in Yeniköy on the Istanbul Strait. While the families of the workers who lost their lives are in mourning, the address where Başaran, known for his $950 million fortune and collection of luxury cars worth millions of euros, is alleged to spend his house arrest drew attention.
In the investigation launched after the explosion at the HABAŞ Iron and Steel factory in the Aliağa district of Izmir, in which 19 workers lost their lives, a house arrest decision was issued for the company's Chairman of the Board, Mehmet Rüştü Başaran. It was alleged that Başaran would serve his house arrest at the Gazioğlu Mansion in the Yeniköy neighborhood on the Istanbul Bosphorus. While the families of the workers who lost their lives in the explosion are in mourning, Başaran's wealth and luxurious lifestyle also became the focus of discussions.
HOUSE ARREST AT HIS MANSION ON THE BOSPHORUS
Within the scope of the investigation conducted by the Aliağa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the suspects who were taken into custody were referred to the courthouse after their procedures at the gendarmerie. A judicial control decision in the form of not leaving the residence was issued for some suspects, including Başaran.
It was claimed that Başaran would implement this measure at the Gazioğlu Mansion in Istanbul's Yeniköy neighborhood, which was stated to belong to him. The allegation regarding the mansion on the Bosphorus shore drew attention together with the pain experienced by the families of the 19 workers who died in the explosion.
FAMILIES OF 19 WORKERS IN MOURNING
The number of workers who lost their lives in the explosion that occurred in the steel mill section of the factory rose to 19 after one of the seriously injured also died. In the investigation launched after the explosion, 11 people were taken into custody. While 9 of the suspects were arrested, a house arrest decision was issued for Başaran and one other person.
The investigation conducted to determine the cause of the disaster and possible negligence continues.
HIS WEALTH IS $950 MILLION
The wealth of Mehmet Rüştü Başaran, owner of HABAŞ Group and Anadolubank, also drew attention again. Başaran, who was shown in 35th place with a wealth of $950 million on Forbes Türkiye's list of the 100 richest Turks, became a subject of debate with his luxurious lifestyle and car collection.
It was reported that the total value of Başaran's collection, said to consist of 80 vehicles, exceeds 30 million euros. It was stated that the collection includes rare automobiles such as the Ferrari LaFerrari, Ferrari 288 GTO, and Ferrari FXX.
THE BREAKFAST GIVEN TO WORKERS IS ALSO A SUBJECT OF DEBATE
In addition to Başaran's wealth and luxury car collection, a photograph of the breakfast said to have been served to workers at the factory also drew attention.
According to Sözcü's report, the breakfast given to the workers consisted of a loaf of bread, 11 olives, and a small piece of cheese. However, when and under what conditions the photograph was taken could not be independently verified.
THERE HAD ALSO BEEN A FATAL EXPLOSION BEFORE
Fatal occupational accidents had also occurred at HABAŞ facilities before. In the explosion on the platform where the company's LPG tanker was located in the Körfez district of Kocaeli, worker Nail Demirci lost his life.
According to what Sözcü reported, in the trial related to this incident, Başaran and five company officials were sentenced to 4 years and 10 months in prison and 1 year and 9 months of professional disqualification.