Furnace explosion at Chinese-owned nickel factory in Indonesia kills 13 workers

Published: 24 December 2023 at 05:46

At least 13 workers have been killed and 38 injured in a furnace explosion at a Chinese-owned nickel factory in Indonesia. The explosion occurred during furnace maintenance at the Morowali Industrial Park on the island of Sulawesi. The factory is operated by Chinese steel and nickel giant Tsingshan. Initial investigations suggest that the explosion may have been caused by explosion-inducing liquid at the bottom of the furnace. This is the latest in a series of deadly accidents at nickel smelting plants in Indonesia. The country is the worlds largest exporter of nickel and is a key component in electric vehicle battery production.

SOURCES

At least 12 dead and dozens injured in smelter furnace explosion in Indonesia, local media reports

Sky News

Furnace blast at Indonesia nickel factory kills 13 workers, wounds 38

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Furnace explosion at Chinese-owned nickel plant in Indonesia kills 13

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China Daily