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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Disasters & Emergencies

Indonesia halts production at herbal plant after fatal explosion

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • Indonesia's Ministry of Industry has ordered PT Raw Botanical Nusantara to halt production following an explosion and fire that caused fatalities.
  • The incident occurred at a herbal ingredient processing plant in Semarang, with preliminary findings suggesting an overheat in a high-pressure production machine.
  • The ministry emphasized the need for stricter occupational safety standards, especially with high-risk machinery.

Indonesia's Ministry of Industry has ordered a temporary halt to all production activities at PT Raw Botanical Nusantara in Semarang, Central Java, after an explosion and fire resulted in casualties. The incident prompted an immediate response from the ministry, which dispatched a supervisory and control team to the factory.

The Directorate General of Agro Industry has been coordinating with local authorities to manage the aftermath of the incident. The ministry's team is on-site to verify information, gather details, and collaborate with law enforcement and local government officials during the investigation. The company's management and the Semarang City Police's Forensic Identification Team are working to determine the cause of the accident, examining potential negligence.

The Directorate General of Agro Industry has been coordinating with the Head of the Center for Standardization and Industrial Pollution Control Services in Semarang to continue overseeing the handling of this incident.

— Putu Juli ArdikaActing Director General of Agro Industry at the Ministry of Industry, commenting on the ministry's response.

Initial reports indicate that an overheat issue was observed in a high-pressure production machine on the day of the incident, Wednesday, July 1, 2026, around 09:30 WIB. This was followed by an explosion of a sterilization tank in the rear production area between 09:45 and 09:56 WIB. The explosion triggered a fire and caused partial structural collapse of the building. Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze by approximately 12:00 WIB.

The incident tragically claimed the life of one worker from Mranggen, Demak, and left seven others with minor to moderate burns. All victims received immediate medical attention at the dr. Adhyatma Public Hospital. Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita described the event as a "strong alarm" for the industrial sector, stressing the critical importance of enforcing occupational safety and health (K3) standards, particularly when operating high-risk or high-pressure machinery.

We express our deepest condolences and grief to the families of the deceased, and we pray for the speedy recovery of the injured workers.

— Agus Gumiwang KartasasmitaMinister of Industry, offering condolences and emphasizing safety.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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