Nov. 9 (UPI) — An explosion at an iron and steel factory in western Turkey killed at least six people Sunday, Izmir provincial officials said.

A statement from the Izmir province said the explosion happened around noon at the HABAŞ plant in the Aliağa district. Emergency workers pulled victims out from under the rubble of the factory and transported them to the hospital.

The statement said search and rescue efforts were underway to reach those trapped.

Sky News reported that eight people were missing and 13 injured.

Turkey Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi said the explosion sparked a fire, prompting a firefighting response.

“I wish our injured fellow citizens speedy recovery and pray that all our teams working selflessly are kept safe,” he said in a post on X.