A major fire broke out following an explosion at an iron and steel plant in Turkey on Monday, killing at least six people, with eight missing, officials said.

The explosion at the Habas iron ​and steel manufacturing plant in the Aliaga district in Izmir ​province, also injured 13, with two in critical conditions, according to a statement from the governor's office.

It was caused by an overhead crane falling into a furnace as it was casting liquid steel, and took place at around noon local time (9am GMT).

The governor's office said an investigation was under way.

Interior minister Mustafa Ciftci said emergency services, including firefighters and search and rescue teams, coordinated a response.

"Our injured fellow citizens have been taken to hospitals, and their health is being closely monitored," he wrote in a post on X.

The post added that search and rescue efforts to reach the remaining eight people trapped under the rubble were ongoing.

Mayor of Izmir, Cemil Tugay, said that the exact number of casualties could only be confirmed once the debris has been cleared.

The incident comes as world leaders and environmental activists are due to gather in Antalya, on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, for the first day of the COP31 summit.

(c) Sky News 2026: Explosion at steel plant in Turkey kills at least six, officials say