A work accident occurred at the nickel processing factory owned by PT Indonesia Tsingshan Stainless Steel (ITSS) in the nickel industrial area of Morowali Regency, Central Sulawesi, Sunday (24/12/2023). 13 workers died in this incident.

This incident started with repairs to a nickel processing furnace carried out by a number of workers consisting of foreign workers (TKA) and Indonesian workers (TKI).

While repairs were being carried out, the furnace caught fire and then exploded at around 05.30 WITA, resulting in 59 employees working at the location becoming victims.

Head of PT IMIP's Media Realtions Division, Dedy Kurniawan, said that ITSS is one of the tenants operating in the IMIP area.

According to him, the work accident occurred at around 05.30 WITA. The disaster started when workers were repairing a nickel processing furnace and installing a plate on part of the furnace.

"The cause of the explosion is thought to be because the bottom of the furnace still contained explosion-inducing liquid. "So during the repair process, an explosion occurred," said Dedy.
The furnace fire was successfully extinguished at 09.10 WITA. The workers who were victims of the accident have been taken to clinic 1 and clinic 2 of PT IMIP to receive initial treatment.

Furthermore, all the injured victims were rushed to the Morowali Regional General Hospital (RSUD) to undergo further medical treatment.

Dedy explained that PT IMIP management had formed a team to handle the impact of work accidents at the PT ITSS factory location.

Where, the latest developments as of 16.15 WITA, it is known that the situation at the scene of the incident is under control. With a total of 59 workers recorded as victims.

The number of confirmed deaths is currently 13 people, consisting of nine Indonesian Workers (TKI) and four Foreign Workers (TKA) from China.

Meanwhile, 46 other victims were injured. Generally, wounds are caused by exposure to hot steam.

"The details are that 29 injured victims were referred to the Morowali District Hospital, 12 people are being observed by the IMIP clinic, and five people are outpatients," said Dedy.

PT IMIP management has borne all costs for post-accident care and treatment of victims, as well as providing compensation to the victims' families.

“We ensure that all costs are borne by the company. And we have also handed over one victim's body to his family. "Other fatalities await," said Dedy.


Video : Amat for Opn Images Indonesia