The incident occurred early Sunday morning at PT Indonesia Tsingshan Stainless Steel, located in the Morowali Industrial Park, Central Sulawesi province, a spokesman for the complex said in a statement.
"The current number of victims is 51 people. 12 people died in the incident. There are 39 people with minor and serious injuries who are currently receiving medical treatment," spokesperson Dedy Kurniawan said.
The explosion is believed to have occurred during repair work on a furnace. A flammable liquid caught fire, leading to a powerful blast that also triggered the explosion of nearby oxygen tanks. Firefighters successfully extinguished the blaze later on Sunday.
The management of the industrial park expressed deep sorrow over the catastrophe and has already arranged for the repatriation of the identified victims' remains.
This plant, a key part of the Morowali Industrial Park, plays a significant role in Indonesia's nickel industry, which is vital for the production of electric vehicle batteries and stainless steel. The Chinese investment in the area signifies a strong partnership between China and Indonesia, aiming to boost economic development and technological advancement.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and an investigation into the cause of the explosion is underway.