Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang
Rumors surrounding Monday's explosion at the Research Center of Science and Technology in Cisauk, Tangerang regency, have caused panic among residents.
"I barely slept last night because we were told that there had been a radioactive explosion," Setyani, 48, told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
The mother of two, who lives in Muncul village, just 300 meters from the research center commonly known as Puspitek Serpong, plans to take her family to a relative's house in Jakarta until "the radiation is cleared and it's safe to go home".
Sinta, 36, another resident living near the center, also said that she and her husband had packed their belongings and were ready to leave.
The explosion on Monday afternoon occurred while researchers were conducting a biodiesel simulation at the laboratory for nuclear industry substance technology owned by the National Nuclear Body (Batan). The building is located inside the Puspitek compound.
Four people were reportedly injured and taken to the Fatmawati Hospital in South Jakarta. As of Tuesday, two of the patients, Sandar and Agus Sudjatno, had been discharged.
Although there is yet to be an official explanation for the blast, Batan head Hudi Hastowo dismissed the residents' fears, saying there was nothing to be concerned about because the blast had not effected the small research reactor at the institute.
"The nuclear reactor is 317 meters away from the blast point. Moreover, there were no radioactive substances used in the research at all. So it's safe," he said.
He said that the researchers were conducting two experiments at the time of the blast.
One experiment involved making synthetic biofuel using ultrasonic waves and the other was to improve sectan levels of marine fuel oil.
"The explosion was caused by high gas pressure triggered by the use of ultrasonic waves in the process," Hudi said. The gas used was nitrogen.
The explosion damaged 80 percent of the laboratory, causing an estimated loss of Rp 3.12 billion (around US$332,000).
Laboratory and forensic teams from Tangerang district police are investigating the blast, while Batan will soon form an independent team to look into its causes.
Institute employees and those who worked in nearby buildings have been given a holiday while the investigation continues. (11)
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