An industrial park official stated that an explosion at a Chinese-funded nickel-processing plant in eastern Indonesia killed at least 12 people and injured 39 others on Sunday.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the complex, Dedy Kurniawan, stated, “The accident occurred around 5:30 a.m. (2130 GMT Saturday) at a plant run by PT Indonesia Tsingshan Stainless Steel in the Morowali Industrial Park in Central Sulawesi province”.
“The current number of victims is 51 people. 12 people died in the incident. 39 people with minor and serious injuries are currently receiving medical treatment”, the statement reads.
As per the statement, seven Indonesians and five international workers were killed but did not name their nationalities.
“An initial investigation showed the explosion happened during repair work on a furnace when a flammable liquid ignited and the subsequent blast caused nearby oxygen tanks to explode as well”, the statement continued.
According to the statement, the fire was fully extinguished on Sunday morning.
The industrial park’s management company stated it was deeply saddened by the accident and that the remains of several identified fatalities had been flown home.
The island serves as a hub for the mineral-rich country’s production of nickel, a base metal needed in electric vehicle batteries and stainless steel, and Beijing’s growing investment has fueled anger about working conditions at its plants.
In January, two workers including a Chinese national were killed at a nickel smelting factory in the same industrial park when a riot broke out during a protest over safety conditions and wages.
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