Tragedy Strikes Indonesian Nickel Plant: One Dead, Two Missing

A nickel waste disposal site collapse on Indonesia's Sulawesi Island claimed one life and left two missing. The incident, occurring at a Chinese-funded smelting plant, highlights ongoing safety issues in the region. Investigations are underway to determine if company negligence contributed to the accident.

Tragedy struck Indonesia's Sulawesi Island as a nickel waste disposal site collapse resulted in one death and two missing individuals, according to officials on Wednesday. This incident is the latest in a series of fatal accidents at Chinese-funded nickel smelting facilities in the area.

The victims were operating dump trucks when they became engulfed by sludge-like materials removed in the ferronickel burning process, said Deddy Kurniawan, spokesperson for PT Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (PT IMIP). The collapse followed a period of torrential rain, intensifying the situation.

Investigation efforts are now focused on whether negligence by PT IMIP played a role in the fatalities. The disaster underscores safety concerns in China's global Belt and Road Initiative projects, with PT IMIP's operations involving significant Chinese investment. Nickel, essential for electric vehicle batteries, remains a critical component of Indonesia's industrial output.

(With inputs from agencies.)