Cilegon residents complain of stinging eyes after chemical plant explosion

We will take responsibility for the community. We have deployed ambulances at the site. Should there be any health complaints from residents, we will coordinate to refer them to Krakatau Medika Hospital. Cilegon (ANTARA) – Residents around Cilegon’s industrial zone in Banten have complained of a pungent smell causing eye irritation following an alleged explosion at PT Merak Chemicals Indonesia’s factory on Monday. Sawiri, a resident of Kampung Sumur Wuluh in Cilegon, said on Monday he heard a loud noise resembling a strong gust of wind lasting about three minutes. He initially rushed towards the site from home but had to stop at the toll road boundary. “I had to stop because the smell was unbearable. Along with the pungent odour, my eyes stung, so I didn’t dare approach the area,” Sawiri said. Amid the situation, Sawiri reported encountering around eight factory workers being evacuated. He tried to ask for masks from them to protect residents from gas exposure. Sawiri further explained that based on the wind direction during the incident, which was blowing eastward, the strongest odour was likely affecting residents in the Gerem Atas area. In response to residents’ environmental complaints, PT Merak Chemicals Indonesia’s Public Relations officer Dimas Saputra offered a sincere apology for the panic and discomfort caused. Dimas claimed the white plume that rose from the factory was pure water vapour from a steam turbine, not a chemical product. However, he pledged to investigate the source of the pungent odour reported by residents. As part of their responsibility and mitigation efforts, the company stated it has distributed masks via local RT and RW authorities. “We will take responsibility for the community. We have deployed ambulances at the site. Should there be any health complaints from residents, we will coordinate to refer them to Krakatau Medika Hospital,” Dimas stressed.