According to local media reports, residents of the surrounding areas panicked upon seeing thick orange smoke rising from the tank, which is designed for the storage of chemicals. Video footage of the incident quickly spread on social media, contributing to the panic.
The mayor of Cilegon, Robinsar, arrived at the scene and stated that he would monitor the situation to ensure that the population was not harmed. He noted that some residents complained of difficulty breathing.
The mayor demanded that the management of PT Vopak immediately conduct an inspection, record data on the affected individuals, and take measures for their safety. In addition, he instructed an assessment of environmental and industrial safety standards to prevent similar situations in the future. An environmental commission is expected to visit the site in the coming days.
According to local authorities, the situation is under control, and an investigation into the causes of the incident is currently underway.
