On January 31st, a gas leak occurred at a chemical warehouse situated on the premises of PT Vopak in Chilegon, a city in Indonesia’s Banten province. The incident generated visible orange smoke from the facility, prompting local residents to report respiratory difficulties.
Chilegon Mayor Robinsar urged PT Vopak to take immediate action to address the gas leak and protect public health, emphasizing that despite technical cleanliness at the site, the release of gases and its impact on the community remain a serious concern. The mayor also requested data on the health status of residents living near the plant.
Separately, in Utrecht, Netherlands, two explosions on January 15th ignited a fire that resulted in at least four fatalities. Utrecht Mayor Sharon Dijksma confirmed significant damage to the city and stated that the exact number of casualties was still being clarified. Official investigations indicated the incident was likely caused by a gas leak, leading to temporary disruptions in both gas and electricity services for affected areas.
