The death toll has increased following an explosion at the HABAŞ Iron and Steel Factory located in the Aliağa district of İzmir. The İzmir Governor's Office reported that the number of fatalities, previously announced as 3, has risen to 6. One person who had been hospitalized in critical condition and 2 others recovered from the rubble have lost their lives.
EXPLOSION AND FIRE AT HABAŞ FACTORY
An explosion occurred at around 11:30 AM at the HABAŞ Iron and Steel Factory, which operates in the Bozköy neighborhood of Aliağa district. Following the explosion, a fire broke out at the facility, and the thick smoke rising from the factory caused panic in the surrounding area.
Upon notification, numerous fire, medical, and search and rescue teams were dispatched to the region. While teams intervened in the fire, they also launched an effort to reach workers trapped inside the factory.
INITIAL ASSESSMENT REGARDING THE CAUSE OF THE EXPLOSION
In a report by Ege'de Son Söz, it was suggested that the explosion occurred in the zinc section of the factory.
The İzmir Governor's Office, however, stated that the incident may have occurred as a result of an overhead crane breaking and falling into an arc furnace during the liquid steel casting process.
FIRST STATEMENT FROM MINISTER ÇİFTÇİ
Minister of Interior Mustafa Çiftçi stated in a post on his social media account following the explosion that teams are continuing search and rescue and firefighting efforts in the region.
Minister Çiftçi included the following statements in his announcement:
"An explosion occurred at an Iron and Steel Factory in İzmir's Aliağa district, followed by a fire.
From the very first moment of the incident, all our relevant units have been working in coordination on the ground, continuing search-and-rescue, firefighting, and intervention efforts without interruption.
Our injured brothers and sisters have been transferred to hospitals, and their health status is being closely monitored.
Our state is on the ground with all its resources and is carrying out its work meticulously. We are following the developments closely.
I wish a speedy recovery to our injured brothers and sisters; I wish ease to all our teams working with self-sacrifice.
May God protect our country and our nation from all kinds of accidents, troubles, and disasters."
MAYOR ACAR: WE ARE WORRIED THAT THE DEATH TOLL WILL INCREASE
Aliağa Mayor Serkan Acar stated in his announcement following the explosion that there were workers who had been taken to the hospital and that efforts were continuing to reach those trapped under the debris.
Speaking to SonMühür, Acar had stated in his initial announcement that 15 people had been taken to the hospital, 1 person had lost their life, and 1 person had been intubated.
Acar had expressed that intervention for the workers trapped under the rubble was ongoing and that they were worried the death toll would rise.
HEALTH MINISTER MEMİŞOĞLU: THERE ARE 15 INJURED
Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu had also announced following the explosion that 1 person had lost their life and that 3 of the 15 injured people were in critical condition.
Memişoğlu's statement is as follows:
"I convey my best wishes to our citizens and their families affected by the explosion and the subsequent fire at an iron and steel factory in İzmir.
Unfortunately, 1 of our citizens has lost their life in the incident. I pray for God's mercy upon our citizen who lost their life and extend my condolences to their grieving family and relatives.
The condition of 3 of our 15 injured citizens is critical, and their treatment continues in our hospitals. Our teams are on alert in the region and are following the process closely.
May God protect our country and our nation from all kinds of accidents and disasters."
İZMİR GOVERNOR'S OFFICE: DEATH TOLL RISES TO 6
The İzmir Governor's Office reported in its latest statement regarding the explosion that the number of those who lost their lives has risen to 6.
The Governor's Office announced that 1 person who had been hospitalized in critical condition and 2 others recovered from the rubble have lost their lives.
In a previous statement, it had been reported that 3 people had lost their lives in the explosion and 14 people, 3 of whom were in critical condition, had been injured. It was also announced that search and rescue efforts were continuing to reach 10 people trapped under the rubble.
News Source: 12punto
