Authorities have taken six individuals into custody following a catastrophic explosion at the HABAS steel plant in Aliaga, near Izmir, which claimed the lives of 17 workers. Witnesses described the force of the blast as similar to an earthquake, and the incident left several others injured, with some remaining in critical condition. As families gather outside the forensic institute awaiting DNA results to identify their loved ones, officials have signaled that the investigation is ongoing and more arrests could be forthcoming.

The tragedy reportedly occurred during a boiler maintenance task when a crane rope failed, causing 120 tonnes of molten steel to plummet into a furnace, triggering a massive hydrogen explosion. While the company has remained silent on the matter, the disaster has sparked significant public outrage. Labor groups and political figures are demanding a thorough investigation into workplace safety, citing the factory’s history of negligence. As protesters prepare to rally against what they describe as a culture of exploitation and corporate greed, President Erdogan has pledged to hold those responsible for the fatal oversight accountable.