PT MCCI Apologises for Factory Explosion: Steam Turbine Effect

PT Merak Chemicals Indonesia (MCCI) has spoken regarding the explosion at its factory on Monday (25 May). Dimas Saputro, Public Relations Officer for PT Merak Chemicals Indonesia (MCCI), stated the explosion occurred around 12:30 PM WIB while some employees were on break. The blast produced a plume of white smoke and a pungent odour that affected nearby residents. ‘One explosion, at 12:30 PM WIB,’ Dimas said on Monday. The exact cause of the explosion is still under investigation by a joint team from the company, Indonesian National Police (Polri), military (TNI), Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), and Cilegon City Environmental Agency (DLH). However, the source of the explosion and white smoke has been confirmed to originate from a turbine within the factory. ‘I coordinated internally to find out what happened, why it reached above ground; it’s the effect of our steam turbine,’ he explained. The chemical company, which produces Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) as a raw material for the textile and polyester industries, has apologised to all affected residents. Management has acknowledged responsibility for all losses suffered by the community. ‘We must take responsibility towards the community,’ he stated.