At least 13 people were tragically killed and 46 injured on Sunday in an explosion that occurred at a Chinese-funded nickel-processing plant in eastern Indonesia.

The incident took place at approximately 5.30am local time (21.30 GMT on Saturday) at a facility owned by PT Indonesia Tsingshan Stainless Steel in the Morowali Industrial Park located in Central Sulawesi province. The complex spokesperson confirmed that the fatalities included nine Indonesian workers and four Chinese workers.

Most of the injuries, which totaled 46, were a result of exposure to hot steam. The blast occurred during repair work on a furnace, igniting a flammable liquid and causing nearby oxygen tanks to explode as well, according to initial investigations.

Authorities were able to extinguish the fire on Sunday morning, bringing the situation under control. The industrial park expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended their sympathies to the affected families. The remains of the identified victims have been repatriated.

Footage obtained by AFP showed thick plumes of smoke billowing from the facility while emergency services and concerned workers stood on the scene. Distressing images exhibited bodies of the victims lined up on top of orange body bags in a clinic within the industrial complex.

The nickel-processing plant, which operates under the PT Gunbuster Nickel Industry (GNI), a local unit of China's Jiangsu Delong Nickel Industry, has had previous safety incidents. In January, two workers, including a Chinese national, lost their lives during a riot that erupted from a protest regarding safety conditions and pay. Additionally, in June, a fire at the same plant resulted in one fatality and six others being injured.

Authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the explosion to determine the exact cause and assess any potential safety lapses. The incident highlights the need for heightened safety measures in industrial facilities to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

Local authorities and relevant agencies will continue to support the affected families and the injured in their recovery process, whilst urging companies to prioritize the safety and well-being of their employees within the industrial sector.