From BBC News · · 1m
Steel factory blast kills 17 in Turkey
An explosion at an iron and steel plant near Izmir has killed at least 17 workers, with investigations under way.
In brief
An explosion at an iron and steel plant near Izmir has killed at least 17 workers, with investigations under way. At least 17 workers died when a crane collapsed at Turkey's Habas Demir Celik steel plant in Aliaga, causing materials to fall into a furnace during scheduled maintenance. Originally reported by BBC News.
Blast at Turkish steel plant kills 17
An explosion at the Habas Demir Celik iron and steel factory near Izmir in western Turkey has killed at least 17 workers and injured 12 others. All casualties were employees at the plant.
Crane collapse triggered the blast
The local governor said the explosion happened around midday after a crane carrying a replacement boiler collapsed, causing materials to fall into a furnace below. The company said the accident occurred during scheduled maintenance work.
Investigations under way, arrests made
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan confirmed the deaths and said investigations were under way while search and rescue operations continued. At least five people have been arrested, according to local media reports.
What to remember
At least 17 workers died when a crane collapsed at Turkey's Habas Demir Celik steel plant in Aliaga, causing materials to fall into a furnace during scheduled maintenance.
