By Editorial Team of TLF
The death toll from a devastating explosion at a major steelmaking facility in western Turkey has risen to 10, with 15 people injured and four workers still missing, according to the latest figures announced by the governor of İzmir province.
İzmir Governor Süleyman Elban confirmed the revised casualty figures on Monday afternoon following the explosion at the HABAŞ Demir Çelik industrial complex in Aliağa, north of İzmir.
Four of the injured are in critical condition, while emergency personnel continue searching the wreckage for the four missing workers.
LATEST CONFIRMED DEATH TOLL: 10
INJURED: 15, including four in critical condition
MISSING: Four workers
LOCATION: HABAŞ Demir Çelik, Aliağa, İzmir province
INCIDENT: Industrial explosion followed by fire
PRELIMINARY CAUSE: An overhead crane reportedly fell into an electric arc furnace during molten-steel casting
INVESTIGATION: Four prosecutors assigned; workplace safety investigation launched
Death toll climbs as rescue operation continues
The disaster occurred at approximately noon local time on Monday, 9 November, during operations at the HABAŞ steelmaking complex.
A powerful explosion was followed by a fire, sending thick smoke above the industrial installation and prompting an extensive emergency response.
The İzmir Governor's Office initially reported three fatalities and 14 injuries, with 10 people trapped beneath the wreckage.
The death toll subsequently increased to six after one seriously injured person died in hospital and two additional victims were recovered from the debris.
Later in the afternoon, Governor Süleyman Elban announced that 10 people had died and 15 had been injured. Four workers remained missing.
The governor said four injured people were in critical condition. Emergency personnel continued searching the damaged installation.
Overhead crane collapse suspected
Investigators are examining preliminary evidence suggesting that the explosion occurred when an overhead crane broke loose during molten-steel casting operations.
According to the initial assessment reported by Turkish authorities, the crane fell into an electric arc furnace used for steel production.
Electric arc furnaces operate at extremely high temperatures to melt metal and produce liquid steel.
The exact mechanical sequence leading to the explosion has not yet been established by a completed technical investigation.
Earlier Turkish media reports had identified a carbon dioxide filling installation as the site of the explosion. However, the official preliminary account now points to an incident involving the steelmaking equipment.
Four prosecutors assigned to investigation
Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced that the Menemen Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had launched a criminal investigation into the industrial disaster.
Four public prosecutors have been assigned to the case, with technical experts examining the scene.
Separately, Labour and Social Security Minister Vedat Işıkhan announced that the Social Security Institution had appointed a chief inspector to investigate the circumstances of the explosion.
The investigations are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the accident, including the equipment involved and compliance with workplace safety requirements.
Government mobilises emergency response
Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi said firefighters, rescue personnel and other emergency services had been deployed to the complex following the explosion.
The authorities have continued coordinating rescue operations while medical teams treat the injured.
Governor Elban said critically injured patients were being transferred to hospitals in İzmir, while additional transfers were under consideration.
Several government ministers were also expected to travel to the area to assess the situation.
Search for missing workers continues
The immediate priority remains reaching the four workers whose whereabouts have not been established.
Authorities have warned that the final casualty figures will depend on the outcome of the continuing rescue operation.
This report reflects the latest casualty figures announced by İzmir Governor Süleyman Elban on 9 November 2026. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, and the status of four missing workers has not yet been established.