{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1763723,
        "msgid": "cilegon-chemical-plant-explodes-thick-smoke-envelops-residential-areas-1780152196",
        "date": "2026-05-25 17:07:20",
        "title": "Cilegon Chemical Plant Explodes, Thick Smoke Envelops Residential Areas",
        "author": "",
        "source": "CNN_ID",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Business",
        "summary": "A chemical plant explosion at PT Merak Chemical Indonesia in Cilegon has caused thick smoke and a strong chemical odour, prompting evacuation efforts and environmental assessments. Authorities have deployed police and disaster management teams to manage the situation, while residents report the blast being audible up to three kilometres away. The incident has raised concerns over industrial safety and potential environmental impact in the region.",
        "content": "<p>Thick white smoke enveloped roads and residential areas around PT\nMerak Chemical Indonesia (PT MCCI) in Cilegon, which exploded on Monday\n(25\/5) afternoon. PT MCCI, formerly known as PT Mitsubishi Chemical\nIndonesia, is a chemical plant producing Purified Terephthalic Acid\n(PTA), a crucial raw material for the textile and polyester industries.\nThe facility reportedly exploded at around 2:30 PM WIB. In addition to\nthick white smoke, a pungent chemical odour spread around the explosion\nsite, prompting officers to approach the area with caution. Pulomerak\nPolice Chief DP Ambarita wore a double-layer mask to minimise chemical\nexposure risks. \u2018I didn\u2019t dare get close due to the strong chemical\nsmell, so I wore two masks at the scene,\u2019 he said. Police attempted to\nevacuate residents and workers from the vicinity of the plant. They also\ninstructed PT MCCI to distribute masks to residents and staff. \u2018We\nadvised the company to distribute masks as an initial measure and urged\nresidents to stay away via their communication channels,\u2019 he explained.\nCilegon Police\u2019s Criminal Investigation Unit deployed forensic officers\nto determine the cause of the incident. Police are currently conducting\na series of investigations at the scene. Local resident Faturrohmi said\nthe explosion occurred around 2:30 PM WIB, accompanied by sirens. White\nsmoke filled the air around the plant. \u2018All I felt was the explosion\nfollowed by sirens. From PT MCCI, the strong smell was like burning\ntyres around Gerem,\u2019 Faturrohmi told reporters. Faturrohmi\u2019s home is\napproximately three kilometres from the chemical plant. The explosion\ncaused alarm among nearby residents. \u2018It was loud\u2014I was at home when it\nhappened. The plant is about three kilometres away,\u2019 he said. After\nhearing the explosion and seeing smoke, residents reported the incident\nto Cilegon\u2019s Environment Agency. \u2018I immediately contacted the\nEnvironment Agency head to take action per environmental procedures,\u2019 he\nsaid. Evacuation efforts Cilegon Environment Agency Head Sabri stated\nthat DLH teams were dispatched to investigate the explosion. He added\nthat BPBD (Disaster Management Agency) teams were also on site to assist\nwith evacuations. \u2018The BPBD has instructed village heads to evacuate\nresidents from the area,\u2019 he said.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/cilegon-chemical-plant-explodes-thick-smoke-envelops-residential-areas-1780152196",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}