Steel plant blast near Izmir, Turkey kills at least 16 workers at Habas, Erdogan says

At least 16 people died and 13 were injured in an explosion at an iron and steel factory near the port city of Izmir in western Turkey on Monday, according to the BBC. Reuters and AP also reported the blast. Early AP coverage on our board put the toll at 10 dead and 4 missing, so the number rose during the day.

What officials say happened

The BBC reports that all of the dead and injured were workers at the Habas plant, described as one of Turkey's leading steel producers, in the Aliaga district of Izmir. Izmir Governor Suleyman Elban said the blast came around midday after a crane carrying a replacement boiler collapsed and materials fell into a furnace below. He said some people were believed to still be under rubble.

In a statement, the company said the accident happened during scheduled maintenance on one of the plant's electric arc furnaces. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed the deaths after a cabinet meeting, said investigations were under way and said two of the injured were in serious condition, per the BBC. The BBC's Turkish service, citing local media, reported at least five arrests. We have not confirmed who was detained or on what charge.

Eyewitnesses told the BBC the explosion shook the ground and that some first thought an earthquake had struck. Footage showed a large fire inside the facility and a tall column of smoke.

A known problem

The BBC cites the independent Turkish Health and Safety Labor Watch as saying workplace accidents remain a chronic problem in Turkey. Aliaga is also one of the country's main shipbreaking hubs.

The business angle

We found no reported figure for how much output Habas has lost or whether the plant is shut, and we are not estimating one. Steel input costs matter to small contractors and fabricators; our recent look at rising steel and copper prices explains how they pass through. Until Habas or Turkish authorities publish output details, treat any price effect from this blast as unproven.

Sources: BBC News; Reuters and AP wire headlines. The toll is as reported at publication and may change. This is news reporting, not investment advice.