The death toll from a massive explosion at an iron and steel factory in western Türkiye's Izmir province has risen to 17, while 13 others were injured, including two in critical condition, authorities said Monday.

The explosion occurred at around 11:46 a.m. local time (0846 GMT) at the HABAS Iron and Steel Plant in the Aliaga district, triggering a major fire and causing extensive structural damage to the facility.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the latest death toll following a Cabinet meeting in Ankara, saying judicial and administrative investigations had been launched to establish the circumstances surrounding the disaster and determine whether negligence had contributed to the incident.

"Any negligence and those responsible will be identified," Erdogan said, expressing condolences to the victims' families.

According to initial findings announced by Izmir Governor Suleyman Elban, the explosion occurred when an overhead crane collapsed during maintenance work, sending materials into an electric arc furnace and damaging natural gas and oxygen pipelines.

Labor and Social Security Minister Vedat Isikhan said preliminary assessments indicated that falling materials had ruptured the pipelines, triggering the explosion. He added that a chief labor inspector had been assigned to investigate the incident.

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, who visited the facility alongside other senior officials, said six people were currently subject to detention orders as part of the investigation, adding that the number could increase.

Adalet Minister Akın Gürlek also confirmed that four prosecutors had been assigned to the judicial investigation, with a team of experts examining the scene.

Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu said 14 people had died at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries at hospitals. He confirmed that 13 injured workers were receiving medical treatment, with two remaining in critical condition.

Emergency services, including firefighters, medical teams, police and disaster response personnel, were dispatched to the factory immediately after the explosion. The ensuing fire was brought under control, while search and rescue operations were launched to locate workers trapped beneath the debris.

HABAS said the explosion occurred during scheduled maintenance work on one of its electric arc furnaces, expressing condolences over the deaths and pledging cooperation with the authorities investigating the incident.

Labor and Social Security Ministry officials said the factory had previously undergone inspections, adding that the investigation would examine all aspects of workplace safety and possible shortcomings.

The disaster has renewed concerns over industrial workplace safety and accountability in Türkiye, as authorities continue efforts to establish the full circumstances of the deadly explosion. (ILKHA)