ISTANBUL, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Three people were killed, 14 others injured, and 10 remained trapped under debris following a massive explosion at an iron and steel factory in Türkiye's western province of Izmir on Monday, local authorities announced.
The blast occurred at around 12:00 p.m. local time (0900 GMT) at the HABAS iron and steel plant in the Aliaga district, the Izmir Governor's Office said in a statement.
According to the statement, initial assessments indicate the explosion was triggered when a ceiling crane snapped and plunged into an arc furnace during a liquid steel casting process.
"According to initial findings, three of our citizens have lost their lives, and a total of 14 citizens have been injured, three of whom are in critical condition," the statement read, noting that the injured have been taken to hospitals for treatment.
The statement also confirmed that search and rescue teams are working continuously to reach the 10 workers trapped under the collapsed structures.
Meanwhile, Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci stated on social media that all relevant state units were rapidly deployed to the scene and are coordinating uninterrupted search, rescue and firefighting operations.
A comprehensive investigation has been launched into the incident, the statement said. ■