Fire disrupts southern India iPhone component plant, 10 injured
Apple sees India as a key growth market for the iPhone’s supply chain, as the company looks to diversify beyond China
At least 10 people received medical treatment, with two hospitalised, after a major fire on Saturday disrupted production at a key Tata Electronics plant in southern India which makes Apple iPhone components.
The incident is the latest to affect Apple’s iPhone supply chain just as the company is looking to diversify beyond China and sees India as a key growth market. It is also the latest in a string of incidents to affect Apple suppliers in India over the last few years.
The fire occurred at a plant in the city of Hosur in Tamil Nadu state where some iPhone components are made. It broke out near another building inside the Tata complex, which will in coming months produce complete iPhones.
The fire was contained to one building and has been extinguished fully, top district administrative official K.M. Sarayu said. She added that no decision has been made on when manufacturing can restart.
“Fumes are still coming since it’s a chemical hazard. It will take time for the search and rescue team to go inside and do an assessment. We have to wait until tomorrow,” she added.
Sarayu said that 523 workers were on shift when the fire broke out in the early morning and that all workers had been evacuated and accounted for.
