Seventeen killed in blast at HABAS steel plant in Aliağa
The death toll from the HABAS steel plant explosion in Aliağa rises to 17 after a critically injured worker died. The blast occurred during a boiler‑replacement when an overhead crane fell into an electric arc furnace, triggering a hydrogen explosion. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ordered judicial and administrative investigations, and four prosecutors have been assigned. Authorities have detained several people, with reports varying on the exact number.
Key facts
- Around 200 employees were in the affected area at the time of the blast.
- The explosion occurred at 11:46 am local time on 9 November.
- Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said the number of detainees could rise.
- The DEM party sent a delegation led by co‑chair Tulay Hatimogullari to visit families.
- Prosecutors issued 11 arrest warrants, including one for HABAS chairman and senior officials.
Summarised with AI from 5 sources · Updated 02:10Read our AI policy
Why it matters
The incident highlights industrial safety risks and prompts legal scrutiny in Turkey.
What changed
Summary updated
Summary updated
First published from The Straits Times, The Hindu, South China Morning Post, Hindustan Times and DW