Alfi Dinilhaq, Cilegon – The hydrocarbon gas liquids (HGL) compound released from the smokestack of the Chandra Asri Pacific plant on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, has been declared safe. The statement was made by the National Police's Forensic Laboratory Team (Puslabfor) after investigating the flaring location in Cilegon, Banten, on Sunday.
The forensic team affirmed that the scene was secure, allowing the public to resume their normal activities.
"The Puslabfor results indicate that the hydrocarbon gas content is well below the standard limits, and the conditions are now safe, so please feel free to resume activities," said Faisal Hamad, the Sub-Director of Environmental Toxicology at Puslabfor said at Cilegon Police Headquarters in Banten on Monday.
The crime scene investigation involved a joint team from the Banten Regional Police, Cilegon City Police, Cilegon City Administration, Environment and Forestry Ministry, and the Puslabfor National Police.
"The condition at Chandra Asri is now safe, and the air quality at the scene is also safe," he emphasized.
As of now, the company has not resumed operations at the flaring location. The reopening of the smokestack is pending the results of the joint examination by the city administration, the ministry, and the police. If it is deemed that the repairs are completed and safe, the smokestack will resume operations.
The flaring incident occurred on Saturday around 05:00 AM WIB and was successfully handled by the company within an hour of the incident.
"According to our standard operating procedures, if something happens, we immediately stop and shut down. According to the mayor's instructions, until today it is still shut down, until the installation is safe, especially from the affected units," said Edi Rivai, Director of External Affairs at Chandra Asri Pacific.