24-12-2023 (JAKARTA) At least 12 people were tragically killed and 39 others injured in an explosion that occurred on Sunday (December 24) at a China-funded nickel processing plant in eastern Indonesia, according to an official from the industrial park where the incident took place.
The explosion happened around 5:30 am local time (9:30 pm GMT on Saturday) at a facility owned by Indonesia Tsingshan Stainless Steel in the Morowali Industrial Park, which is situated in the Central Sulawesi province, as stated in a spokesperson’s statement on behalf of the industrial complex.
The spokesperson, Dedy Kurniawan, stated, “The current number of victims is 51 people. Twelve people died in the incident. There are 39 people with minor and serious injuries who are currently receiving medical treatment.”
The statement further mentioned that among the casualties, seven were Indonesian workers, while the remaining five were foreign workers. However, the nationalities of the foreign workers were not disclosed.
Initial investigations suggest that the explosion occurred during repair work on a furnace when a flammable liquid ignited. The subsequent blast caused nearby oxygen tanks to explode as well, causing significant damage, according to the official.
The fire resulting from the explosion was successfully extinguished on Sunday morning, as reported in the statement.
The company responsible for operating the industrial park expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident and informed that the remains of the identified victims had been repatriated to their respective home countries.
The region where the explosion took place is a significant hub for nickel production, a mineral-rich resource used in the manufacturing of electric vehicle batteries and stainless steel. The increasing investment from Beijing in these nickel-related facilities has raised concerns about working conditions and safety standards.
Earlier in January, a riot erupted during a protest over safety conditions and wages at a nickel smelting plant in the same industrial park, resulting in the deaths of two workers, including a Chinese national.
