Explosion at industrial cleaning facility in Trabzon claims life of one person

Photo: AA

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In the district of Ortahisar in Trabzon, northeastern Turkey, an explosion occurred at an industrial cleaning facility, resulting in the loss of one life. Upon investigation by the authorities, it was determined that the deceased worker was H. Ajmal Mustaki, a refugee from Afghanistan.

Following the explosion, the gendarmerie, Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), Emergency Health Services, and the Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department were dispatched to the scene.

Governor İsmail Ustaoğlu stated, "All of our emergency response teams and AFAD are intervening in the incident, as you can see. Due to the explosion of a steam boiler, a three-story building has suffered severe damage. We have one fatality. According to the assessments, there are no other injuries. Now, our prosecutor has arrived at the scene."

Ustaoğlu emphasized that the cause of the explosion would be thoroughly investigated and continued, "It has been determined that the individual who came here as a daily visitor and is of Afghan nationality has lost their life. We have only been able to learn their name for now. Our colleagues will conduct detailed investigations. I wish them a speedy recovery."

According to data released by the Health and Safety Labor Watch (İSİG), 37 refugee workers died in work-related incidents in the first five months of 2023.

In its latest report, the İSİG stated, "As a result of misguided foreign and domestic policies, Turkey has been inundated with millions of refugees. The migrants, comprising nearly 10% of the population, have been employed in uninsured, low-paid, exclusionary, and entirely unprotected conditions. In recent years, approximately 100 migrant workers lose their lives annually." (AÖ/VK)