Two workers were killed and three others injured on Saturday following a nitrogen gas leak at an industrial facility in Ankara’s Polatlı district, according to local media reports.
The incident occurred during maintenance work on a pipe inside the plant, located in the Polatlı Organized Industrial Zone. Five workers reportedly entered an enclosed area where nitrogen gas had leaked, causing them to lose consciousness due to oxygen displacement.
The victims, identified as K.D. and F.Y., died at the scene. The other three were taken to Polatlı State Hospital, where they are being treated. No details have been provided on their condition.
No official statements have been made by the Ankara Governor’s Office or the company operating the plant. The specific operations of the plant, whether lithium compound processing or battery manufacturing, has not been publicly clarified, though Turkish media referred to it as a “lithium factory.”
A facility that manufactures lithium-ion battery cells, modules and energy storage systems, is located in the Polatlı Organized Industrial Zone, but it is not clear whether that site was involved in the recent incident.
The Polatlı Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation. Authorities are inspecting the scene for potential violations of safety protocols.
Nitrogen gas is commonly used in industrial operations but poses a significant asphyxiation risk in enclosed spaces due to its ability to displace oxygen without warning. Experts emphasize the importance of proper ventilation and gas detection systems in such environments.