A significant fire at a Tata Electronics plant in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, on Saturday resulted in the disruption of production for Apple iPhone components. At least ten individuals received medical treatment, with two requiring hospitalization following the incident.
This fire marks another challenge for Apple’s supply chain, particularly as the company aims to diversify its manufacturing beyond China, viewing India as a crucial growth market. This incident is part of a series of disruptions affecting Apple suppliers in India in recent years.
The fire erupted in a building designated for iPhone component production, near another facility within the Tata complex that is expected to produce complete iPhones in the coming months. Fortunately, the fire was contained to one building and has since been fully extinguished, according to K.M. Sarayu, a top district administrative official. However, no timeline has been established for when production might resume.
Sarayu indicated that fumes from the chemical hazard remain, complicating efforts for the search and rescue teams to assess the situation. “We have to wait until tomorrow to fully evaluate the area,” she noted.
At the time of the fire, 523 workers were on duty, all of whom were successfully evacuated and accounted for. Eyewitness Savitri, a nearby resident, described the incident, stating she heard loud noises around 5:30 a.m. that resembled firecrackers, followed by thick plumes of smoke that lingered into the late morning.
Tata Electronics, a key player in the iPhone supply chain alongside Foxconn, is currently investigating the fire’s cause and is committed to ensuring the safety of its employees and stakeholders. A spokesperson for the company affirmed, “Our emergency protocols at the plant ensured that all employees are safe.”
J. Saravanan, a senior district official responsible for industrial safety, mentioned that it is too early to determine when production will recommence, stating, “We will need to assess the damage before making any decisions.”
Related topics:
The Rise of Specialized Human Trainers in AI Development
Swiggy Files for $1.25 Billion IPO Amid India’s Stock Market Surge
U.S. Justice Department Launches Investigation into Super Micro Computer