An unfortunate accident has unfolded in western Turkey, where a devastating explosion at the Habas Demir Celik plant, one of the country's leading steel producers located in Aliaga near Izmir, has left at least 17 workers dead and 12 others injured. The incident occurred around midday on Monday, when a crane carrying a replacement boiler collapsed, causing materials to fall into a furnace below. Witnesses reported feeling the ground shake, initially mistaking the explosion for an earthquake. According to authorities, all fatalities and injuries were limited to workers at the plant. The blast occurred during scheduled maintenance work on one of the facility's electric arc furnaces, as confirmed by the company that runs the factory. As search and rescue operations continue, some individuals are believed to still be trapped under debris. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has expressed condolences and assured ongoing investigations into the cause of the explosion. At least five people have been detained in connection with the incident, according to local media reports. The Habas plant is situated in Aliaga, a major port and Turkey's primary shipbreaking hub, contributing significantly to the nation's industrial sector.