Apple to probe deaths of three workers at Tata's iPhone parts factory

American tech giant Apple is said to investigate the incident that led to death of three workers at Tata facility that manufactures Apple iPhone components, sources told Reuters on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, people cited by the agency said there was no impact on production at Tata's iPhone parts factory as the incident occured while plant was shut for festive holidays.

Also read: Three workers die at Tata's Apple iPhone components factory in Tamil Nadu: Report


Following the probe update from Apple, the company's team visited the Tata factory to investigate the matter, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Apple supplier Tata Electronics has been instructed to undertake a comprehensive review of the performance and safety compliance of the agencies entrusted with maintaining the Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), Krishnagiri district collector C Dinesh Kumar told ET Bureau.

Three contract workers lost their lives due to asphyxiation at the Tata Electronics factory during during maintenance work on an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) at the facility.

According to a report by The New Indian Express, the deaths had happened on Monday.

The district administration was reportedly investigating the incident and proper safety measures had not been in place while the workers were handling the ETP.

According to the TNIE report, one worker fainted after looking inside the tank and inhaling gas. The other two workers subsequently entered the tank to check on him and collapsed on the spot. A fourth member of the team, who witnessed the incident, alerted other workers for help.

All three workers were rescued and taken to a private hospital in Hosur, where they were declared brought dead, the report added.

According to the Police, preliminary enquiries pointed to possible toxic gas inhalation, but the exact cause of death would be established after the final postmortem report.

Also read: Fires, protests, pollution: How Apple's supply chain woes in India have caused troubles over the years

"The safety and dignity of every worker must remain paramount. This tragic incident will be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings," Tamil Nadu's Industries Minister Virudhai Magal Keerthana said in a post on X.

The minister outlined the government's response and immediate relief measures, emphasising that the district administration has been directed to extend all necessary support to the affected families.