The key facts

  • An explosion at a steel plant in Izmir killed 16 people, 13 were injured, two of them seriously
  • The cause was the collapse of an overhead crane during a boiler replacement: debris fell into an electric arc furnace
  • Azerbaijan and Ukraine expressed condolences; Erdogan announced an investigation into the causes and possible negligence

What happened at the Izmir plant

At a metallurgical plant in the Aegean city of Izmir an explosion occurred, killing 16 people and injuring 13 others, two of them seriously. These figures were given by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Izmir Governor Suleyman Elban earlier explained the circumstances of the accident: the explosion happened during a boiler replacement procedure, when an overhead crane collapsed and its debris fell into an electric arc furnace, triggering the blast. Details are reported by the Anadolu agency.

Investigation and reaction

Erdogan said an investigation has been launched to establish the 'causes and circumstances of this tragic incident, which has deeply saddened our nation,' as well as any possible negligence and those responsible. Ankara's foreign partners expressed their condolences. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said it was deeply saddened by the incident and offered condolences to the families of the victims, wishing the injured a speedy recovery: 'We extend our deepest condolences to the state and people of fraternal Turkey over this tragedy.' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also expressed condolences on social media X to the families of the victims, to Erdogan and to all the people of Turkey, noting that 'every lost life leaves grief,' and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.