Accident in Indonesia: 13 workers killed in explosion at nickel smelter

(Patria) - Thirteen workers were killed and 38 injured in today's furnace explosion at a nickel smelter on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, the owner of the industrial park where the facility is located announced.

The explosion occurred while workers were repairing a furnace at the Chinese-owned company Tsingshan Stainless Steel (ITSS).

Eight Indonesian and five Chinese workers died in the incident, according to a statement from the Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP).

IMIP is a nickel-focused industrial park owned by the Chinese company ITSS and its local partner Bintang Delapan Group, which produces stainless and carbon steel.

Nickel is increasingly important for resource-rich Indonesia, which is the world's largest producer of the metal, reports RSE.

Billions of dollars in foreign investment have been flowing into Indonesia since the government banned the export of unprocessed ore in 2020.

Southeast Asia's largest economy is trying to develop the nickel industry and attract major investments from electric vehicle manufacturers as well as battery producers.

Nevertheless, several fatal accidents have occurred in Indonesia's nickel industry in recent years.

President Joko Widodo wants to develop the sector but has also called for improved safety and promised to enhance compliance with environmental standards.