Death toll rises to 17 in Turkey steel plant blast, five arrested

The death toll from a devastating explosion at an iron and steel plant near the western Turkish port city of Izmir has risen to 17. Twelve more people were injured in the incident.

According to a BBC report, the authorities said all the dead and injured were workers at the Habas Demir Celik plant in the Aliaga area. It is one of the country's leading steel producers.

The local governor said the explosion took place around noon on Monday. A crane was being used to move a new boiler into place when it collapsed, dropping equipment into a furnace below.

Video from the scene showed a large fire inside the plant and a huge plume of smoke rising into the sky.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan first put the death toll at 16. Later, Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu said one of the seriously injured died while receiving treatment, taking the toll to 17.

Earlier on Monday, after a cabinet meeting, Erdogan confirmed the casualties. He said an investigation was under way and rescue work was continuing.

The company that operates the plant said in a statement that the accident happened during scheduled maintenance work on an electric arc furnace at the plant.

Izmir Governor Suleyman Elban told the media that several people may still be trapped under the rubble.

Witnesses said the blast shook the whole area. At first, one person thought it was an earthquake.

The independent organisation Turkish Health and Safety Labour Watch said workplace accidents have long been a major problem for Turkey.

BBC Turkish, citing local media reports, said at least five people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

The Habas plant is located in Izmir's Aliaga district. The area is a major port and one of Turkey's main shipbreaking centres.

Authorities said the investigation into the accident is continuing, and rescue work is still under way.