Chemical Plant Leak

A toxic fume leak from a chemical storage facility in an industrial district of Banten made dozens of nearby residents unwell and has promoted the government to threaten criminal action against the factory’s operator. 

Thick, orange-coloured fumes were first reported on Jan 31 at the facility owned by chemical tank storage company PT Vopak Terminal Mera, shortly after which residents began to experience breathing difficulties, some also felt nauseous and began vomiting. One source reported the smoke was caused by a base oil leak, others however have said it was nitric acid gas.  The local mayor visited the factory shortly after the incident, arriving with the local police chef and police grand commissioner, showing they were taking the incident very seriously.