People stay in relief camps after an explosion at a Chinese-owned Indonesian refinery.
Thirteen people have died in a massive explosion at a Chinese-owned furnace in Indonesia. The accident occurred Sunday at a smelter at a Chinese-owned nickel plant on Indonesia’s Sulawesi island. At least 13 employees died during the massive explosion. While many other people were injured. Police and a company official gave this information.
This is the latest incident in a string of fatal accidents at nickel smelting plants in Indonesia. It is part of China’s ambitious international development program known as the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’. Nickel is a key component in the production of batteries globally for electric vehicles. Central Sulawesi police chief Agus Nugroho said at least five Chinese and eight Indonesian workers were killed when a sudden explosion occurred during furnace repair.
Buildings near the explosion site damaged
Nugroho said the blast was so powerful that it demolished the furnace and damaged parts of the side walls of the plant building. He said about 38 workers were admitted to hospital, some of whom are in critical condition. Nugroho said officials were trying to find out whether the company’s negligence led to the deaths. “We sincerely apologize for this incident and we are working closely with authorities to investigate the cause of the accident,” said Dedi Kurniawan, a company spokesman. (AP)
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