Explosion kills 13 at Chinese-funded nickel plant in eastern Indonesia
Central Sulawesi province has witnessed a devastating incident at PT Indonesia Tsingshan Stainless Steel (ITSS) in the Morowali Industrial Park, leaving 13 dead and 38 injured.
In a tragic turn of events on Sunday morning, at least 13 people lost their lives and 38 others were injured in a fatal explosion at a Chinese-funded nickel-processing plant in eastern Indonesia.
The incident occurred at 5:30 am at a facility owned by Tsingshan Holding Group, the world’s largest nickel producer and China’s leading stainless steel manufacturer.
The Morowali Industrial Park, located in the mineral-rich island of Sulawesi, has been a focal point of China’s increasing investment in nickel production for electric vehicle batteries and stainless steel.
An official statement from the industrial park’s spokesperson revealed that the explosion took place during repair work on a furnace, leading to the ignition of a flammable liquid.
The subsequent blast caused nearby oxygen tanks to explode, amplifying the scale of the tragedy. The victims include eight Indonesians and five Chinese workers.
The safety concerns surrounding Chinese-funded facilities in Indonesia have been escalating, with previous incidents contributing to growing unrest over working conditions. In January, two workers, including a Chinese national, lost their lives in a riot at a nickel smelting plant in the same industrial park during a protest over safety conditions and pay.
The latest incident has reignited fears about safety standards, as an initial investigation indicates the explosion’s connection to repair work on the furnace.
Tsingshan Holding Group, which holds a majority stake in ITSS, expressed deep sorrow over the disaster. The industrial park management conveyed condolences to the affected families and mentioned that the remains of identified victims had been transported home.
Footage shared depicted emergency services at the scene, plumes of smoke billowing from the facility, and workers witnessing the aftermath.
In the wake of the explosion, 25 injured individuals, including 15 Indonesians and 10 foreign nationals, were immediately rushed to hospitals. Morowali district head Rachmansyah Ismail reported that 17 were seriously injured, while eight suffered moderate injuries.
This tragic incident follows a fire in June at the same plant, further intensifying concerns over safety at facilities funded and operated by Chinese companies in Indonesia.
As the nation mourns the lives lost, questions regarding safety regulations and conditions at such industrial complexes remain at the forefront of public discourse.
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