An industrial accident at a steel plant in Aliağa, İzmir, resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries after a crane accident occurred during maintenance work.
The incident took place at approximately 11:46 at the HABAŞ Demir Çelik facility located in the Bozköy neighborhood, according to İzmir Valisi Süleyman Elban.
During a kazan değişimi (boiler/vessel change) operation, a overhead crane fell, causing materials to strike an electric arc furnace and trigger an explosion and subsequent fire within the steelworks. AFAD, itfaiye, and police search and rescue units operated at the site, with support from surrounding district units and a Manisa AFAD team.
Bugün öğle saatlerinde İzmir Aliağa’dan çok üzücü bir haber aldık. Bir demir çelik fabrikasında sıvı çelik dökümü yapıldığı esnada meydana gelen patlamada hayatını kaybeden işçi kardeşlerimize Cenab-ı Allah’tan rahmet niyaz ediyor, kederli ailelerine taziyelerimi sunuyorum.…
Death toll rises to 17 after factory explosion
Initial official statements confirmed 16 worker fatalities, while 14 individuals died at the scene and two more succumbed to their injuries in hospitals, as reported by Sağlık Bakanı Kemal Memişoğlu. Subsequent reporting from Sözcü Gazetesi and Evrensel.net noted that the death toll rose to 17 after another critically injured worker passed away.
Around 15 workers sustained injuries during the blast. İçişleri Bakanı Mustafa Çiftçi stated, Yaralanan kardeşlerimiz hastanelere sevk edilmiş olup, sağlık durumları yakından takip edilmektedir.
Families gathered outside Aliağa Devlet Hastanesi, where riot police teams were deployed and entrance and exits were blocked by police forces.
Minister Memişoğlu stated that two patients remained in critical condition, with one described as extremely critical, while other injured workers received treatment. Minister Memişoğlu added, Önce Aliağa’daki hastaneye, daha sonra Şehir Hastanesine geçerek yaralı kardeşlerimizin yanında olacağız.
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar noted that the facility employed approximately 1,800 workers simultaneously.
İzmir Aliağa’da bir demir çelik fabrikasında meydana gelen patlama ve akabinde gerçekleşen yangında vefat eden vatandaşlarımıza Allah’tan rahmet, ailelerine başsağlığı ve sabır diliyorum. Yaralılarımıza acil şifalar temenni ediyorum. İhbarın alınmasıyla bölgeye sevk edilen AFAD,…
Official Inspections and Findings
Cabinet ministers—including Minister Işıkhan, Enerji ve Tabii Kaynaklar Bakanı Alparslan Bayraktar, and Minister Memişoğlu—arrived at the factory alongside an official delegation to inspect the damage and coordinate emergency responses. Fire departments deployed rapidly to extinguish the ensuing flames with support from regional disaster management teams, including AFAD units from neighboring Manisa.
Minister Işıkhan stated that the plant operated with 37 occupational health and safety experts, two workplace physicians, and one health personnel, and that the workplace had been subjected to periodic inspections by the Ministry’s Guidance and Inspection Presidency.
Legal Investigation and Detention Orders
Menemen Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı launched an immediate judicial investigation into the industrial disaster, assigning four public prosecutors to the case, as announced by Adalet Bakanı Akın Gürlek. Prosecutors and an expert committee inspected the site while rescue efforts for workers beneath the rubble proceeded.
Aliağa'daki HABAŞ Demir Çelik Fabrikası'nda meydana gelen patlamada hayatını kaybeden vatandaşlarımıza Allah'tan rahmet, ailelerine ve yakınlarına başsağlığı diliyoruz. Yaralılarımıza acil șifalar diliyor, enkaz altındaki vatandaşlarımıza bir an önce ulaşılmasını temenni… pic.twitter.com/TZFD5x4zLX
Aliağa Sulh Ceza Hakimliğince, upon request from the local prosecutor’s office, a temporary publication ban was enacted over all news, reports, critiques, and commentary concerning the incident until the judicial investigation concludes. Officials stated the restriction aims to prevent public misinformation and ensure the inquiry proceeds without interference.
Government Pledges and Support
State authorities have pledged full support for the families of the victims and the injured workers. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a swift recovery to the injured through public statements, while international figures such as European Commission leaders also conveyed messages of condolence to Turkey.
Ege İşçi Birliği spokespersons Yücel Memiş and Sonay Tezcan were detained outside Aliağa Devlet Hastanesi while attempting to make a public statement following the explosion.
Minister Işıkhan announced that a chief inspector has been officially assigned by the Ministry to scrutinize all safety measures, potential negligence, and procedural flaws.
Questions about the HABAŞ Demir Çelik accident
When and where did the industrial accident happen?
The incident occurred at approximately 11:46 at the HABAŞ Demir Çelik factory located in the Bozköy neighborhood of İzmir’s Aliağa district, according to statements from local and national authorities.
Aliağa’mızda bir demir çelik fabrikasına ait tesiste meydana gelen patlama ve ardından çıkan yangında hayatını kaybeden işçi kardeşlerimize Allah’tan rahmet, yaralılarımıza acil şifalar diliyorum. Vefat eden kardeşlerimizin ailelerine ve yakınlarına başsağlığı ve sabır…
What caused the explosion at the steel plant?
According to initial findings shared by government officials, a tavan vinç (overhead crane) dropped materials into an electric arc furnace during maintenance operations, triggering the explosion and subsequent fire.
What legal actions have been taken regarding the incident?
Menemen Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı launched a comprehensive judicial inquiry involving four public prosecutors, resulting in initial detention orders for six individuals and a localized publication ban issued by the Aliağa Sulh Ceza Hakimliği.
🔴Sendikamızın Genel Başkanı Özkan Atar, HABAŞ’ta meydana gelen, en az 16 işçinin hayatını kaybettiği iş cinayetiyle ilgili Bianet’e değerlendirmelerde bulundu👇 “HABAŞ Demir Çelik Fabrikası’nda geçmişte de bu tür iş cinayetleri yaşandı. Pota devrilmesi ya da ocak patlaması…”
More on Minister Memişoğlu
Worth a look