Furnace Blast At Indonesia Nickel Factory Kills 13 Workers, Wounds 38

According to officials, a furnace explosion at a Chinese-owned nickel business in Indonesia on Sunday killed at least 13 workers and injured 38 others.

The accident occurred at a factory in the Morowali Industrial Park on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.

Tsingshan, a Chinese steel and nickel conglomerate with assets in Indonesia’s lucrative mining business, operates the factory through its local branch, Indonesia Tsingshan Stainless Steel (ITSS).

According to Morowali police spokesperson Ipda Hamid, 13 individuals died at the spot, with many injured being transported to local hospitals for treatment. Police were on the scene, and an official investigation was ongoing, according to Hamid.

Thick black smoke rising in the air from massive fires may be seen in the footage.

According to Reuters, eight Indonesians and five Chinese labourers were slain.

Furnace Blast At Indonesia Nickel Factory Kills 13 Workers, Wounds 38

The explosion was alleged to have happened while workers were repairing a furnace. “An explosion happened during the repair process. According to preliminary investigations, it was “possibly caused by the presence of some explosion-inducing liquid at the bottom of the furnace,” according to a statement from the company that Reuters published.

According to Hamid, several oxygen cylinders nearby also exploded, adding fuel to the fires.

Indonesia is the world’s largest nickel exporter and is also rich in copper, cobalt, and bauxite, all of which are utilized in producing electric vehicle (EV) batteries. With its EV-friendly business regulations, Indonesia has become a global leader in mineral production and has been aggressively pursuing foreign investment in smelters and processing units from nations such as China.

However, critics claim that the government’s desire to develop its processing and EV industry has come at the expense of the environment and individuals such as farmers and indigenous tribes.

Furnace Blast At Indonesia Nickel Factory Kills 13 Workers, Wounds 38

Said Iqbal, an Indonesian politician and labour activist, has requested that the Indonesian Manpower Ministry conduct an investigation. “The (operator) must bear the costs of medical treatment and accident compensation for those affected,” the operator said in a statement.

“There must also be heavy sanctions for those who violate regulations,” he said.

The Indonesia factory is a significant player in the global nickel industry. It is a major source of nickel production, contributing to the supply chain for various industries, including stainless steel, batteries, and electric vehicles.

Furnace Blast At Indonesia Nickel Factory Kills 13 Workers, Wounds 38

The factory’s output has a considerable impact on the global market, influencing prices and availability of nickel products.

With Indonesia being one of the world’s top producers of nickel, the factory’s operations have far-reaching implications for the international economy and various sectors reliant on nickel-based materials.

SOURCE – (CNN)