How did the death and injury toll change after the Izmir factory explosion?

The governor’s office first reported three dead, 14 injured and 10 people trapped under rubble. It later said one injured person and two people pulled from the rubble had died, bringing the death toll to six.

What rescue work was underway after the Habas Demir Celik factory blast?

Izmir Mayor Cemil Tugay said rescue teams were continuing to remove the collapsed platform. He said the people affected were factory workers, and the exact toll was expected to become clear after the wreckage was removed.

6 dead in blast at steel factory near Turkey's Izmir: officials

Q: How did the explosion happen at the Habas Demir Celik factory near Izmir?

Initial findings cited by DHA suggested an overhead crane collapsed into a large industrial furnace used during the liquid steel casting process. Officials said the blast sparked a fire at the plant.

Listen

Summary

An explosion killed six people and injured around a dozen at the Habas Demir Celik iron and steel factory near Izmir, Turkey, on Monday. The blast occurred around midday in Aliaga, about 60 kilometres north of Izmir, and sparked a fire. Officials said the death toll rose after one injured person and two people pulled from rubble died.

Key Facts

The governor’s office initially reported three deaths, 14 injuries and 10 people trapped under rubble before updating the toll to six dead.
DHA reported that initial findings suggested an overhead crane collapsed into a large industrial furnace used in liquid steel casting.
Izmir Mayor Cemil Tugay said rescue teams were working to remove the collapsed platform and that those affected were factory workers.

By AFP

Published Nov 9, 2026 9:54 pm KST
Updated Nov 9, 2026 10:29 pm KST

First responders work at the scene of an explosion at the Habas Demir Celik factory in Aliaga, about 60 kilometers north of Izmir, western Turkey, Monday. AFP-Yonhap

ISTANBUL — Six people were killed and around a dozen injured Monday when an explosion ripped through an iron and steel factory near Turkey's western resort city of Izmir, the governor's office said.

The governor's office initially gave a toll of three dead, 14 injured and 10 trapped under the rubble, but gave an update saying one of the injured had died along with two of those pulled from the rubble, raising the toll to six.

The massive blast took place around midday at the Habas Demir Celik factory in Aliaga, about 60 kilometres north of Izmir, with officials saying it sparked a fire at the plant.

The DHA news agency said initial findings suggested the blast occurred when an overhead crane collapsed into a large industrial furnace used during the liquid steel casting process.

Izmir Mayor Cemil Tugay said rescue teams were "continuing their work to remove the collapsed platform" and that those affected were factory workers.

"Unfortunately, we have received preliminary information indicating a large number of deaths and injuries among people working at the factory. The exact number will become clear once the wreckage has been removed," he said in a post on X shortly before the toll was updated to six dead.

Explore More