At least three people were killed and 14 others injured in a massive explosion at an iron and steel factory in Türkiye's western province of Izmir on Monday, while 10 workers remained trapped beneath the debris, local authorities said.

The explosion occurred at around noon local time at the HABAS iron and steel plant in the Aliaga district, according to a statement from the Izmir Governor's Office.

Initial findings indicate that the blast was triggered when an overhead crane snapped and fell into an arc furnace during a liquid steel casting operation, the governor's office said.

"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 said.

The injured workers were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, while search and rescue teams continued efforts to reach 10 workers believed to be trapped beneath the collapsed structures.

Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci said in a social media statement that all relevant state agencies had been swiftly deployed to the scene and were coordinating search and rescue, firefighting and emergency response operations.

Authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the explosion. (ILKHA)