Death toll rises to six after crane collapse sparks blast at Izmir steel plant

UPDATE - follow-up to Six dead in blast at steel factory near Turkiye's Izmir: officials: Six workers died and about a dozen were injured after an explosion ripped through the Habas Demir Celik iron‑steel plant in Aliaga, near Izmir, on Monday. The blast struck around midday (0900 GMT) and set fire to the plant. Officials say an overhead crane collapsed onto a large industrial furnace used for liquid steel casting, triggering the explosion. The governor’s office first reported three deaths, 14 injuries and 10 people trapped under rubble. A later update confirmed that one of the injured succumbed to injuries and two of those rescued from the debris also died, raising the death toll to six. Rescue crews continued to clear the collapsed platform, according to Izmir Mayor Cemil Tugay, who posted on X that all the victims were factory workers and that the exact number of casualties would be confirmed once the wreckage is removed. Around a dozen injured persons were taken to hospitals for treatment. The fire was brought under control after several hours. ## Context Industrial accidents involving heavy machinery are a known risk in steel production. Overhead cranes are essential for moving molten metal but can cause severe damage if they fail, especially near furnaces.