ISTANBUL, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a massive explosion at an iron and steel factory in Türkiye's western province of Izmir has risen to 10, with 15 others injured, local authorities said on Monday.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing to locate four workers still believed to be trapped under the debris at the HABAS iron and steel plant in the Aliaga district, according to Izmir Governor Suleyman Elban.
Four of the 15 injured workers remain in critical condition. The blast reportedly occurred during a shift change, when around 200 personnel were on site.
The accident occurred during planned maintenance on one of its electric arc furnaces, according to a statement from HABAS. The explosion caused severe structural damage and sparked a fire, later brought under control by emergency crews.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been briefed on the incident, and top officials, including the Labor and Social Security Minister and Energy and Natural Resources Minister, have traveled to Izmir to oversee the operations. ■
