13 Killed, 38 Injured in Tragic Explosion at Indonesian Nickel Processing Plant
An explosion at a Chinese-funded nickel processing plant in eastern Indonesia on December 24 resulted in 13 fatalities and 38 injuries.
The Morowali Industrial Park, located on Sulawesi Island, is crucial to Indonesia’s nickel production, driven by the rising demand for electric vehicle batteries and stainless steel.
The incident occurred during furnace repair work, igniting a flammable liquid and causing nearby oxygen tanks to explode. The plant, owned by Indonesia Tsingshan Stainless Steel, has faced unrest due to Chinese investment and alleged poor working conditions.
Despite previous safety incidents at the facility, including a deadly fire in June, concerns persist about safety norms being overlooked. The operator, Gunbuster Nickel Industry, expressed deep sadness for the disaster, acknowledging the challenges faced by affected families.
Explosion at Indonesia’s Nickel-Processing Plant Leaves 12 People Killed, 39 Injured#IndonesiaExplosion #Nickelplant #SulawesiIsaland #BNN #Worldnewshttps://t.co/KZO8TNEUmL pic.twitter.com/JcV1hnQQTU
— GeetaPillai (@GeetaaPillai) December 24, 2023