The contract workers reportedly died of asphyxiation while performing maintenance on an effluent treatment plant in Hosur.
Three contract workers died on Monday evening after inhaling gas at a Tata Electronics Private Limited facility in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, according to reports from The Economic Times and Mint. The facility manufactures components for Apple iPhones.
The deaths occurred during cleaning and maintenance work on a nano-filtration feed tank within an effluent treatment plant (ETP). District official Dinesh Kumar stated that the ETP was operated by Nalco Water, an Ecolab company. One worker reportedly fainted after looking into the tank, and two others collapsed after entering to check on him.
The three workers were taken to a private hospital in Hosur but were declared dead. Their bodies have been sent to the Government Krishnagiri Medical College Hospital for postmortem examinations. Police said preliminary enquiries suggest possible toxic gas inhalation, though the exact cause of death will be established following the final report.
Production at the plant has not been affected because the facility is currently closed for the Deepavali festival. Apple, Tata Electronics, and state authorities are expected to investigate the deaths.
Tamil Nadu Industries Minister Virudhai Magal Keerthana said on X that the tragedy will be investigated and action will be taken based on the results. Tata Electronics and Nalco Water did not respond to requests for comment.
