Tragic Explosion at Indonesian Nickel Plant Claims Lives of 13 Employees, Injures 38

At least 13 workers were killed and 38 others injured in a furnace explosion at a Chinese-owned nickel factory in Indonesia on Sunday, officials have reported. The tragic incident occurred at a factory located in the Morowali Industrial Park on the island of Sulawesi.

Tsingshan, the Chinese steel and nickel giant, operates the factory and has investments in Indonesia's profitable nickel mining industry through its local subsidiary, Indonesia Tsingshan Stainless Steel (ITSS).

According to Morowali police spokesperson Ipda Hamid, 13 people died at the site, and several others were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. The police were present at the scene, and an official investigation was in progress, as reported by CNN affiliate CNN Indonesia.

In videos, thick black smoke from huge fires can be seeing rising in the air.

Among the workers killed were eight Indonesians and five Chinese, Reuters reported.

The explosion occurred while workers were repairing a furnace, possibly due to the presence of explosion-inducing liquid. According to a statement from the company reported by Reuters, the blast also caused nearby oxygen cylinders to explode and fuel the fires, as stated by Hamid.

On May 12, 2023, a stunning aerial photograph captures the expansive PT. Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP), a leading nickel producer in Konawe Utara. (Photo by RIZA SALMAN / AFP) (Photo by RIZA SALMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Indonesia, the world's top nickel exporter, is also abundant in copper, cobalt, and bauxite, crucial components in electric vehicle (EV) batteries. With the global demand for EVs on the rise, Indonesia has positioned itself as a key player in nickel production and has actively pursued foreign investment in smelters and processing plants, particularly from China, due to its favorable EV business policies.

The government's rapid expansion of nickel processing and the electric vehicle market has been criticized for its negative impact on the environment and local communities, including farmers and indigenous tribes.

Indonesian politician and labor activist Said Iqbal has urged the Indonesian Manpower Ministry to launch an investigation. In a statement, he insisted that the operator must be responsible for covering the costs of medical treatment and accident compensation for those who have been affected.