THE death toll from a fire at an Indonesian nickel plant has risen to 19, and injured dozens more, according to local officials.
The deadly explosion took place at a stainless steel plant in Sulawesi Island, Indonesia on Sunday while workers were busy conducting furnace repairs.
The workers who died from the blast consisted of Indonesians and foreigners.
The plant’s operations remain suspended as authorities probe the cause of the incident.
Preliminary investigation results suggest that molten metal residue that leaked from the smelter’s furnace came into contact with flammable materials causing the furnace wall to collapse.
Indonesia holds the world’s largest nickel reserves, with an estimated 21 million tons or equivalent to about 22% of global reserves.
And the Sulawesi Island is a hub for Indonesia’s nickel production, which is a base metal used for stainless steel, and electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
