ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – The Nickel Smelter explosion in Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) Morowali Regency, Central Sulawesi, resulted in 12 people dying and dozens of others being injured.
This incident raises questions for the public, was this incident caused by elements of sabotage or was it just a pure accident?
IMIP management has revealed the results of the initial investigation into the cause of the explosion.
According to the Head of the Media Relations Division of PT IMIP Dedy Kurniawan, the incident occurred on Sunday, December 24 2023 at around 05.30 WITA at the nickel smelter belonging to PT Indonesia Tsingshan Stainless Steel (ITSS), one of the tenants operating at IMIP.
The incident started with an accident experienced by a number of workers while repairing the furnace and installing plates on the furnace.
“The results of the initial investigation show that the cause of the explosion was thought to be because the bottom of the furnace still contained explosion-inducing liquid. During the repair process, an explosion occurred,” said Dedy in a written statement received in Jakarta, Sunday, December 24 2023.
Dedy said that there were also many oxygen cylinders at the location which were used for welding and cutting furnace components. As a result, he said, the first explosion caused several oxygen cylinders in the area to explode.
The furnace fire, said Dedy, was only successfully extinguished at 09.10 WITA. The workers who were victims were taken to clinics 1 and 2 of IMIP.
According to information gathered from the IMIP Clinic as of 10.00 WITA, the number of victims was 51 people.
“Twelve of them died and 39 others suffered serious to minor injuries,” said Dedy.
The victims who died consisted of 7 workers from Indonesia and 5 foreign workers. Meanwhile, the injured victims are receiving medical treatment. According to Dedy, several of the deceased victims have been identified.
“And at the request of the victim’s family, their bodies have today been flown to their respective hometowns,” he explained.
Currently PT IMIP continues to coordinate with related parties for further investigations and providing treatment to victims.
As a form of accountability, Dedy claimed that all treatment costs for the victims would be borne by IMIP management, including grief compensation to the victims’ families.
“PT IMIP as the company that oversees the Morowali industrial area is deeply saddened by this disaster, especially the families of the victims affected by this tragedy,” said Dedy. (AT Network)
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