Thirteen employees tragically lose their lives in nickel plant explosion in Indonesia

At least 13 workers have been killed and dozens injured, some seriously, in an explosion at a nickel plant in Indonesia's Sulawesi island. The victims included eight Indonesians and five Chinese workers. The plant is financed by a Chinese company. The explosion occurred during repair work on a furnace, causing a flammable liquid to ignite and triggering the explosion of nearby oxygen tanks, according to initial investigations. Indonesia is the world's top producer of nickel, a crucial component in electric car batteries and stainless steel. The blast led to several other explosions due to the presence of multiple oxygen tanks in the vicinity. The fire was eventually put out, but not without causing significant damage. The injured workers, many of whom were foreign workers, will have their treatment costs covered by the company. This incident has raised concerns over the safety of facilities operated by Chinese companies, especially as China has made significant investments in nickel plants in Indonesia to support its growing electric vehicle industry.