Apple to investigate accident that killed three workers at iPhone parts factory in India

Reuters reports that three contract workers died after inhaling gas during an inspection at a Tata Electronics factory that produces iPhone components in India. Here are the details.

As frequent 9to5Mac readers probably know, Apple’s supply chain in India relies heavily on Tata, which manufactures iPhone components and accounts for a significant share of the country’s iPhone assembly operations.

Since Apple began diversifying its manufacturing operations away from China, India has emerged as a major production hub, with roughly a quarter of the world’s iPhones now manufactured in the country.

Earlier this year, Apple found itself linked to an environmental controversy in India, after the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board investigated allegations that wastewater from a Tata facility had contaminated nearby farmland water.

A few weeks later, however, Tata said the regulator had dropped further action against the facility after the company addressed the concerns raised.

At the time, Tata said it had ordered separate testing related to the facility and that the results supported its position that the plant was operating within the rules.

However, the matter was apparently not fully resolved, as just three days later, Reuters reportedthat local health officials were still investigating complaints from nearby farmers.

And while there had been no major developments reported about the wastewater investigation since then, Reuters reported today that three contract workers died in an accident at the same Tata facility.

From Reuters:

Reuters added that “Apple’s team is visiting ​the plant to assist in ​the ongoing investigation,” though the company did not respond when reached for comment.

The report added that Tata and Tamil Nadu authorities are also investigating the fatal accident, and noted that “production was not affected as the facility was closed for the Hindu festival of Deepavali this week.”

To read Reuters’ full report, follow this link.