An explosion at a nickel-processing plant in eastern Indonesia, part of the Morowali Industrial Park in Central Sulawesi province, has tragically resulted in the deaths of at least 13 individuals and injuries to 46 others. The incident occurred early Sunday at a facility owned by PT Indonesia Tsingshan Stainless Steel, a key site in Sulawesi, a region central to Indonesia’s nickel production, which is vital for electric vehicle batteries and stainless steel manufacturing.
Catastrophe During Maintenance Work
The blast happened around 5.30am local time during maintenance work on a furnace. A flammable liquid ignited, causing a powerful explosion which subsequently led to nearby oxygen tanks also exploding. Most injuries were attributed to exposure to intense hot steam. The fire was successfully put out later that morning.
Victims and Aftermath
The victims included nine Indonesian workers and four Chinese nationals. The remains of several identified victims have already been transported to their families. Disturbing footage and photographs from the scene circulated, showing smoke billowing from the plant and the lined-up bodies of victims at a clinic within the industrial complex.
Response and Historical Context
The operators of the industrial park expressed deep sorrow over the incident, especially for the bereaved families. This explosion is not the first fatal incident at the Morowali Industrial Park. Earlier in the year, a riot during a protest over safety and pay at a nickel smelting plant resulted in two deaths, including a Chinese national. Additionally, a fire in June at the same facility claimed one life and injured six.
The facility is operated by PT Gunbuster Nickel Industry (GNI), a subsidiary of China’s Jiangsu Delong Nickel Industry. The series of accidents raises significant concerns over the safety standards and working conditions in such industrial complexes, highlighting the need for stringent safety protocols and effective emergency response mechanisms in high-risk industrial environments.
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