Bad news for Ratan Tata as iPhone component plant of Tata stops production due to...

Officials at the Tata Electronics plant in Tamil Nadu that makes Apple iPhone components said on Monday, 30 September 2024 that the production will remain suspended indefinitely after a fire broke out at the plant. "We acted to prevent further damage from the blaze," they added.

"We have stationed fire engines at the plant as there are chances of a follow-up fire incident or smoke coming off when the sheds that had fallen during the accident are removed," said M Velu, a district fire officer, as quoted by news agency Reuters.

"We have not yet ascertained the cause of the fire."

Ten people sustained minor injuries when a fire broke out at the Tamil Nadu plant early on Saturday, September 28. This led to a halt in production. It is the latest incident to 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.

iPhone maker Apple is yet to issue any statement on the incident, while Tata has 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 on Monday, 30 September and officials faced difficulties with inspections due to the extensive damage.

The plant makes critical back panels and some other components for iPhones. In the same complex, another building is due to start up iPhone assembly before the end of the year, but it's not clear how it has been impacted.

District Collector KM Sarayu visited the Tata plant on Sunday, September 29 after which he posted photos on X which showed the building and some machines as well as ceilings burnt and covered in soot.

Shilpa Prabhakar Satish, a senior health official who visited the plant on Sunday told Reuters 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.

Tata Electronics, part of the Tata Group, is one of the major suppliers for Apple in India, along with Taiwan's Foxconn.

(With Agency inputs)