Explosion at Chinese-Owned Nickel Plant in Indonesia Kills 13, Injures 38

Third deadly accident this year at nickel smelting plants in Central Sulawesi province raises safety concerns.

An explosion at the PT Indonesia Tsingshan Stainless Steel plant in the Morowali Industrial Park in Central Sulawesi province, Indonesia, killed 13 people and injured 38. The dead included eight Indonesians and five Chinese workers.
The explosion occurred during repair work on a furnace when a flammable liquid ignited, causing nearby oxygen tanks to explode as well.
This is the third deadly accident this year at Chinese-owned nickel smelting plants in Central Sulawesi province, which has the largest nickel reserves in Indonesia.
Previous incidents include a riot over safety conditions and pay in January that left two workers dead, and a fire in June that resulted in one death and six injuries.
Three Chinese workers last month filed a complaint to Indonesia’s National Commission on Human Rights, alleging deteriorating health due to dust and smoke exposure and inadequate safety equipment at PT IMIP.