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JAKARTA: A furnace at a Chinese-funded nickel metal processing plant in Indonesia exploded and sparked a horrific fire, killing 12 people and injuring 39.
According to the World News Agency, the fire in the furnace of the processing plant of PT Indonesia Sangsan Stainless Steel Factory located in the industrial area of Sulawesi, Indonesia, could not be controlled until morning.
The blast occurred during repairs to the furnace when a flammable liquid ignited and the subsequent explosion also exploded nearby oxygen tanks.
The flames were touching the sky and there were clouds of black smoke. The fire brigade personnel managed to control the fire but in the meantime the plant was completely gutted.
The plant where the explosion occurred was run by Chinese funds but employed mostly local people.
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More than 50 people were shifted to the hospital during the relief operations. 12 deaths have been confirmed, including 5 foreigners and 7 Indonesian citizens.
Due to the critical condition of 13 of the injured, the death toll is expected to increase.
China’s investment in Indonesia has also fueled insecurity.
In January, two workers, including a Chinese national, were killed in a riot at a nickel smelting plant in the same industrial area during protests over safety conditions and wages.
Adnan Arif
