Explosion kills 16 at steel plant in Turkey
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on TimesLIVE
An explosion at the Habas steel plant in Aliaga, Izmir province, killed 16 people and injured 14. The accident occurred when an overhead crane fell into an electric furnace during steel casting, according to local authorities cited by Reuters.
An explosion on Monday at the Habas steel plant in the Aliaga district of Izmir province, in western Turkey, killed 16 people, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said after a government meeting. The explosion occurred at around 9am GMT during the process of casting molten steel, according to the Izmir governor's office cited by Reuters.
Initial findings indicate that an overhead crane broke before falling into an electric arc furnace, causing the explosion, according to the governor's office. Footage broadcast by local television channels showed large clouds of dust above the plant.
Fourteen people were injured and hospitalised at several facilities in the region, including three who were in serious condition, according to the governor's office. Search and rescue operations were continuing to find at least 10 people still trapped under the rubble, Reuters reports.
