Ten people died in an explosion at the HABAŞ iron and steel plant in Aliağa, Izmir. A fire broke out after the blast, witnesses said.
One witness near the plant described a very loud explosion that shook the ground. A cloud of dust and smoke rose, and firefighters and ambulances then arrived.
Another witness, who was across the road from the plant, said the blast felt as if the ground was sliding under his feet, and he thought it was an earthquake. Thick black smoke poured from the plant, and a fire broke out near the chimney.
A truck driver was just leaving the plant when the explosion happened. He said it was like a bomb. He pulled his truck over to the side.