Blaze at Tata Electronics Factory Triggers Forensic Probe

Indian authorities are investigating the cause of a fire at a Tata Electronics factory in Tamil Nadu that produces Apple iPhone components. The incident, which happened on Saturday, halted operations. No injuries were reported and the factory is unlikely to resume production by Monday as authorities continue their investigation.

Authorities in India are launching a forensic investigation into the cause of a fire that erupted on Saturday at a Tata Electronics factory in Tamil Nadu. The facility produces components for Apple iPhones, a state official confirmed Sunday.

Two individuals with direct knowledge of the situation revealed that the factory, on a regular Sunday holiday, is unlikely to receive state permission to resume production by Monday. Both Tata Electronics and Apple did not respond to requests for comment outside regular business hours. The company stated earlier that it is probing the incident to ensure the safety of employees and stakeholders.

This is the most recent incident among several affecting Apple suppliers in India, where the U.S. company is expanding its supply chain outside China. According to fire officials, the blaze began in a chemical storage area and has been completely extinguished. District administrative official K.M. Sarayu reported that the fumes have dissipated and two hospitalized workers are expected to be discharged shortly. Forensic teams from Chennai are on their way to investigate, though it remains unclear if the fire impacted nearby buildings, one of which is slated to start assembling iPhones by the end of the year.

(With inputs from agencies.)