A massive explosion and fire at the HABAS iron and steel plant in Aliaga, Izmir province on Monday killed six people, injured 13 others-two critically-and left eight workers trapped under rubble, officials said.
The governor's office said the blast occurred around noon (0900 GMT) when an overhead crane toppled into a furnace during liquid steel casting. An investigation was launched, while Izmir Mayor Cemil Tugay said final casualty figures await debris clearance. Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci posted on social media that emergency teams fought the blaze as injured victims were hospitalized.
Broadcaster NTV aired images of heavy smoke, while state-run Anadolu agency quoted witnesses Nuri Ali Ulker and Deniz Ulker describing intense shaking resembling an earthquake. The HABAS facility, established in 1987, produces 4.5 million tons of steel annually.
The disaster struck Aliaga-a port town famous for shipbreaking facing environmental criticism and EU delisting calls-just as world leaders gathered in Antalya for climate talks.