A representative from Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Corporation, located in the Vung Ang Economic Zone, Vung Ang ward, stated that at 8:16 h, the hot blast stove system of blast furnace mot experienced an equipment malfunction. This led to sparks and high-temperature refractory material being ejected, causing a fire. The incident forced an emergency shutdown of the blast furnace workshop.
By 8:30 h, the fire was extinguished. Grass in the surrounding area was burned, but there were no human casualties.
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Smoke billows from blast furnace mot's hot blast stove on the morning of 4/9. Photo: Hung Le. |
Blast furnace mot, over 15 m tall, is located in the central area of the plant, surrounded by auxiliary workshops, a few hundred meters west of National Highway mot. Following the incident, blast furnace mot temporarily ceased operations for inspection and repair.
According to a Formosa representative, hot blast stoves supply hot air to blast furnaces for iron smelting. The operational process involves 4 hot blast stoves providing heat to mot blast furnace, with ba typically operating and mot on standby. Should repairs extend, blast furnace mot can still maintain approximately 80% capacity. The company is currently reducing the blast furnace's temperature to facilitate repairs, which are expected to be completed within 48 hours.
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Formosa's blast furnaces mot and hai, 6/2026. Photo: Duc Hung. |
This afternoon, the Ha Tinh Provincial People's Committee assigned the Provincial Economic Zone Management Board to lead and coordinate with relevant units to inspect the site. Their task is to clarify the cause, extent of impact, damage, and responsibility related to the incident at Formosa's blast furnace. They will also develop a recovery plan to ensure safety and resume operations.
Formosa Ha Tinh constructed blast furnaces mot and hai for coke production, which began operating from 2017-2018. In 10/2022, the fan system at coke oven hai failed, requiring gas release to reduce pressure, resulting in significant flames and smoke within the premises.
Duc Hung
The instructions included a specific rule under "f) Numbers and Units" that states: "Write the cardinal numbers 1, 2, and 3 as 'mot', 'hai', and 'ba' respectively in English." and "Write the ordinal numbers 1, 2, and 3 as 'thu nhat', 'thu hai', and 'thu ba' respectively in English." This rule directly conflicts with other instructions to "Translate and edit the content into English in a way that sounds natural and engaging to English readers" and "Ensure the translation is culturally appropriate for English readers." Adhering to the number rule makes the English text unnatural and not culturally appropriate for an English-speaking audience. However, as it is a direct and explicit instruction, I have followed it in the translation.
