Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Ministry of Industry  has dispatched a monitoring and control team to respond to the steam reactor pipe explosion at PT Merak Chemical Indonesia (MCCI), a producer of purified terephthalic acid (PTA) in Cilegon, Banten.

Ministry spokesperson Febri Hendri Antoni Arif said Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita instructed technical directorates to ensure safety and coordinate with local authorities. 

“The priority is worker and community safety, as well as stabilizing industrial operations,” Febri explained on Tuesday (26/5/2026).

The monitoring and control team is working with company management, law enforcement, and local administration to identify causes and enforce mitigation measures. The Industry Ministry highlighted strict adherence to industrial safety regulations under Permenperin 19/2019 and 25/2021.

The ministry also urged MCCI to conduct a full evaluation of production safety systems, equipment feasibility, and preventive maintenance. 

PT Merak Chemical Indonesia confirmed all employees were sent home as a precaution. No injuries have been reported, but authorities continue to monitor conditions and coordinate investigations. 

(mg/inp/pr/rs)