India investigates fire at Tata plant that makes iPhone components – News

Indian authorities will launch a forensic investigation into the cause of a fire that broke out Saturday at a Tata Electronics factory that makes components for Apple iPhones, a Tamil Nadu state official said on Sunday.

The factory, for which Sunday was a weekly holiday, is unlikely to receive government approval to resume production by Monday, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said.

Neither Tata Electronics nor Apple responded to requests for comment outside regular business hours. Tata Electronics had previously said it was investigating the cause and would take measures to protect employees and other stakeholders.

The incident is the latest in recent years to affect Apple suppliers in India, where the US company is diversifying its supply chain beyond China and which it sees as a growth market.

It was not clear whether the fire affected surrounding buildings. The assembly of iPhones is expected to begin in one of these buildings by the end of the year.