At least 13 workers were killed and 38 more were injured when a blast occurred at a nickel smelting plant in Indonesia’s North Maluku province on October 8, 2020. The accident occurred at the PT Vale-owned nickel smelting plant in Sorong district, reportedly due to a malfunctioning blast furnace. The injured workers were immediately taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Local police, the head of Sorong district and PT Vale officials have visited the site to investigate the cause of the accident. The Indonesian Ministry of Manpower also dispatched a team to the scene to ensure the safety of the workers and investigate the conditions of the workplace.
PT Vale has announced that it will provide compensation to the families of the victims and medical treatment for those injured, as well as assistance for affected families. The company also vowed to prioritize worker safety in its operations and to continue efforts to improve safety conditions.
