16 people killed in explosion at steel plant in Izmir, Turkey

Al-Taj News – 16 people died and 13 others were injured in an explosion at a steel plant near the coastal city of Izmir in western Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Monday.

Erdogan said: “Unfortunately, 16 people lost their lives in the explosion, while 13 others are receiving medical care, two of whom are in critical condition.”

He added in a televised statement: “The circumstances of this tragic incident will be uncovered (…), including the underlying causes, the possibility of negligence, and those responsible for it.”

The explosion occurred around midday (09:00 GMT) at the “Habas Demir Celik” plant in Aliaga, about 60 kilometers north of Izmir, and officials reported that it caused a fire to break out in the facility.