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Operator of Morowali nickel plant may face penalties after deadly explosion
Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said the disciplinary action would vary depending on the results of the ongoing investigation.
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Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP), in North Konawe, Central Sulawesi, is pictured on May 14, 2023. At least 13 people were killed and 38 injured in the park on Dec. 24, 2023, in an explosion at a Chinese-funded nickel-processing plant owned by PT Indonesia Tsingshan Stainless Steel (ITSS). (AFP/Riza Salman)
T
he government is considering penalizing Indonesia Tsingshan Stainless Steel (ITSS), a nickel smelter operator in Morowali, Central Sulawesi, over a fire that broke out at a plant under its control in late December 2023.
Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said the disciplinary action would vary depending on the results of the ongoing investigation.
The government would let the police handle any criminal charges that might result from the investigation, he said, but the Manpower Ministry would deal with any occupational health and safety violations.
“Regarding the business license of the company, we will see the extent of responsibility related to management. We’ll evaluate everything,” he said on Wednesday, as quoted by Antara.
On Dec. 24, 2023, an explosion at a nickel processing factory in the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) in Central Sulawesi rekindled industry-wide work safety concerns and public scrutiny.
At least 10 Indonesians and eight Chinese workers were killed in the incident, while 41 others were injured, according to IMIP, which is owned by ITSS.
Read also: As death toll rises, Morowali blast brings work safety squarely into focus
