Tata stops production at Tamil Nadu iPhone component plant indefinitely after fire

The fire broke out at the plant on Saturday leaving 10 people with minor injuries and halting production. This will affect Apple’s iPhone supply chain in India just as the tech giant is looking to diversify beyond China and sees India as a key growth market.

Tata said the cause of the fire is under investigation and emergency protocols at its plant ensured its employees were safe. Rescue teams were still clearing debris and officials have struggled with inspections due to the extensive damage, the report added. 

The Tamil Nadu plant makes critical back panels and some other components for iPhones and another building in the same complex is due to start up iPhone assembly before the end of the year.

A senior official, Shilpa Prabhakar Satish, who visited the plant told Reuters that it was “very badly burnt and (there was) absolutely no visibility inside”.

“The structure was falling, the roof was falling. No one could even go inside,” she said.