Apple Issues Statement on Foxconn Factory Explosion, Investigation in Progress

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All Things Digital has obtained a statement from Apple on the explosion at manufacturing partner Foxconn's facilities in Chengdu, China where the iPad 2 is manufactured. In the statement, Apple expresses sympathy to those affected by the event and notes that it is working with Foxconn to address the cause of the explosion.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragedy at Foxconn's plant in Chengdu, and our hearts go out to the victims and their families," Apple said in a statement provided to AllThingsD. "We are working closely with Foxconn to understand what caused this terrible event."

Apple declined to say what the impact to production might be, or comment beyond the statement.

Authorities in Chengdu have confirmed that two people were killed in the blast, with at least sixteen other injured. According to reports, Foxconn chairman Terry Gou is flying to Chengdu today, presumably to personally view the damage and oversee the company's efforts to determine the cause and aid those affected by the blast.

Top Rated Comments

campingsk8er Avatar
190 months ago
the last thing we need to worry about right now is production delays, ipads are replaceable, lives are not
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KPOM Avatar
190 months ago
A quick response from Apple.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Nomadski Avatar
190 months ago
Image (https://cdn.macrumors.com/article-new/2011/05/foxconn_banner.jpg)

People who work there are so happy!

And so diverse!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cooldaddybeck Avatar
190 months ago


People who work there are so happy!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lesser Evets Avatar
190 months ago
The graphic seems inappropriately heavenly.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Consultant Avatar
190 months ago
Hope they can make some safety improvement.

But considering Foxconn employees over 1 million people, this kind of accident rate is actually quite low in terms of statistics.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)