Tamil Nadu/Alive News: Three contract workers died while cleaning a water filtration tank at Tata Electronics Private Limited’s iPhone components factory in Tamil Nadu on Monday evening. The workers allegedly died of asphyxiation after inhaling toxic gas inside the tank. Apple has said it will investigate the incident.
According to media reports, the accident took place at the company’s effluent treatment plant (ETP) in Vanniyapuram, near Udanapalli in Krishnagiri district. The workers were carrying out maintenance and cleaning work on a nano-filtration feed tank. They had been sent by a company associated with Nalco.
Three workers collapsed inside the tank
Krishnagiri Collector C. Dinesh Kumar said the workers were exposed to toxic gas while carrying out the cleaning work. B. Akmal (28) was the first to enter or look inside the tank but lost consciousness after inhaling the gas.
When P. Kaveri (32) asked M. Sarthikumar (25) to check on him, he also entered the tank and collapsed. Kaveri subsequently went inside to help both workers but also lost consciousness. The fourth team member, who witnessed the incident, immediately raised an alarm.
All three were taken to a private hospital in Hosur, where doctors declared them dead. The deceased were residents of Dharmapuri district.
Investigation underway
The district administration has launched an investigation into the incident. Collector Dinesh Kumar said proper safety measures had not been followed during the maintenance work.
The bodies were sent to Government Krishnagiri Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examinations. Police said preliminary findings pointed towards toxic gas inhalation, but the exact cause of death would be confirmed after the post-mortem reports.
Tamil Nadu Industries Minister Virudhai Maghal Keerthana said the incident would be thoroughly investigated and appropriate action would be taken. The district administration has also been directed to assist the affected families.
Previous safety incident at Tata plant
In September 2024, a fire broke out at Tata Electronics’ chemical plant in Ullukurukkai village near Rayakottai. Eleven people were hospitalised following breathing difficulties and other health problems.
