Blast at Turkish steel factory kills 17, injures 12

Blast at Turkish steel factory kills 17, injures 12

A powerful explosion at an iron and steel factory in the western Turkish city of Izmir has killed at least 17 people and injured 12 others, according to local authorities.

Officials said all those killed and injured in the incident were employees of the factory. Footage from the scene showed massive flames engulfing parts of the industrial facility, while thick clouds of smoke rose high into the sky following the blast.

The local governor said the explosion occurred when a crane carrying a replacement boiler collapsed, causing the heavy equipment to fall into a furnace. The impact triggered a massive blast inside the factory, resulting in significant destruction and multiple casualties.

Eyewitnesses described the explosion as extremely powerful, saying the ground shook violently at the time of the incident. One witness initially mistook the tremor for an earthquake before realising that a major explosion had taken place at the industrial site.

Izmir Governor Suleyman Elban told the media that rescue teams were continuing their operations at the factory. He expressed concern that several people might still be trapped beneath the debris, raising fears that the death toll could increase.

Emergency services and rescue workers rushed to the site to assist the injured and search for anyone trapped under the rubble. Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crane collapse and determine whether safety procedures were followed at the facility.