Three Workers Die at Tata Electronics' Hosur iPhone Plant

What happened inside the tank

According to local reports, one worker fainted after looking into the tank and inhaling gas. Two colleagues then entered to check on him and also collapsed from asphyxiation. All three were declared dead on arrival at the hospital. Citing official sources, the same reports say proper safety measures were not in place while handling the effluent treatment plant. Police have said the final cause of death will be established after the post-mortem.

Apple, Tata Electronics and local authorities are expected to probe the deaths, and an Apple team is reportedly set to visit the plant to assist. A joint team from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health will also investigate.

A plant under repeated scrutiny

The Hosur site is a key part of Apple's iPhone supply chain in India, and the accident raises fresh questions about industrial safety there. Nearly two years ago a major fire injured eleven people and halted production. In June this year, the pollution control board reportedly warned of a shutdown over alleged wastewater contamination of wells on neighbouring farmland. Tata Electronics said an independent analysis showed compliance and that the board dropped further action.

Also in June, a ransomware group posted more than 2 lakh files, including sensitive supplier information, stolen from the same plant on the dark web. The outcome of the current investigations will show whether safety lapses at the contractor or the plant level contributed to the deaths.