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Steel plant explosion in western Turkey kills at least 16 workers

Euronews reports five people detained and four prosecutors assigned, while the Izmir governor says an overhead crane fell into a furnace.

8 news outlets reported this
Liberal2 outletsThe explosion, the toll and the plant's safety recordCenter4 outletsThe rising toll and the cause under investigationConservative2 outletsCasualty counts and the official response
ABRAnews EditorialPublished 1 min read
Overview

An explosion and fire at the HABAS iron and steel plant in Aliaga, in Izmir province in western Turkey, killed at least 16 workers on Monday, Nov. 9. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said after a cabinet meeting that 13 people were injured, two of them seriously. Euronews reports 17 dead.

Earlier official tallies were lower, among them six dead and eight missing, and 10 dead and four missing. Izmir Mayor Cemil Tugay said the exact toll would be clear only after the rubble is cleared. The Izmir governor said an overhead crane fell into a furnace.

The company said the accident happened during scheduled maintenance on an electric arc furnace. An investigation was launched, and Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said four public prosecutors were assigned. BBC's Turkish service, citing local media reports, says at least five people were arrested.

Euronews says five were detained. The Izmir chapter of the Labour Party said it was the third fatal incident at the plant in three weeks. The EU and Azerbaijan sent condolences, according to Al Jazeera.

Key figures
  • At least 16people dead, per BBC NewsBBC News
  • 17dead in Izmir province, per EuronewsEuronews
  • 13people injuredBBC News
  • Fivepeople detained, per EuronewsEuronews
  • 226workplace deaths in Turkey in September, per the Health and Safety Labor WatchDeutsche Welle

Three sides of the story

2Liberal4Center2Conservative

8 news outlets reported this

Tap a color or swipe sideways to switch sides.

Liberal2 outlets

The explosion, the toll and the plant's safety record

ABC News runs a wire report that opens on a "huge explosion and fire" and an early count of six dead and eight missing. It cites the governor's office, Mayor Tugay and witness Nuri Ali Ulker: "The ground shook. It was very intense."

It adds that the disaster came as world leaders met in Antalya for climate talks. Al Jazeera English reports at least 16 dead and 13 injured, and adds that Erdogan announced an investigation. It then turns to the plant's record: "Workers' groups say there is a long record of safety issues."

It quotes the Izmir chapter of the Labour Party, which called this "the third fatal incident" in three weeks and said seven employees died in accidents there over 10 years. Al Jazeera ends with condolences from the European Union and Azerbaijan.

Center4 outlets

The rising toll and the cause under investigation

BBC News leads with at least 16 dead and Deutsche Welle with 16 dead, as Erdogan said after a cabinet meeting. Euronews puts the toll at 17. BBC adds the company's statement about scheduled maintenance, the Health and Safety Labor Watch calling workplace accidents chronic, and at least five arrests per its Turkish service.

DW notes officials gave lower figures earlier, and says the governor reported a shift change with about 200 workers present. It reports that the opposition party TIP called the incident "workplace homicide." Euronews cites a worker telling AFP that a snapped cable sent around 120 tonnes of molten steel onto the furnace, and says five were detained.

UPI, in a shorter report, gives at least six dead, with Sky News reporting eight missing, and quotes the interior minister's wish for recovery.

Conservative2 outlets

Casualty counts and the official response

The New York Post runs the Associated Press report headlined "10 dead, 4 missing." It opens on a "huge explosion and fire" and cites Governor Suleyman Elban's televised update of 15 injured, two critically. It notes an earlier statement had given three dead, 14 wounded and 10 missing.

It quotes witness Nuri Ali Ulker and Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci, who said teams fought the blaze and searched for casualties. The governor's office said an overhead crane tipped into a furnace while liquid steel was being cast. Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said four public prosecutors were assigned.

The report also mentions Aliaga's shipbreaking industry and the climate talks in Antalya. The Washington Times carries the same opening line and headline of 10 dead and four missing.

What a side did not mention
  • Liberal outlets did not mentionAt least five people arrested or detained Reported by BBC News, Euronews
  • Conservative outlets did not mentionAt least five people arrested or detained Reported by BBC News, Euronews
  • Conservative outlets did not mentionLabor groups and opposition parties criticizing the plant's safety record Reported by Al Jazeera English, Deutsche Welle
Where outlets disagree
All sources: 9 articles from 8 outlets

Liberal (3)

Center (4)

Conservative (2)

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