Explosion Reported at Foxconn's iPad Production Plant in Chengdu, China [Updated]


Multiple news outlets are reporting that an explosion has occurred at Foxconn's new manufacturing facilities in Chengdu, China, a plant that opened last year in large part to support increased iPad production. M.I.C gadget has more information and several video clips, and while the extent of the damage remains unclear, reports have indicated that at least ten fire engines and ten ambulances are on the scene.

At around 19:00 in China, Foxconn Chengdu manufacture plant got an explosion, we are not sure actually what cause the explosion and how many casualties had resulted. At the scene, there are currently more than 10 fire engines, ambulances and 10 police cars had arrived on the scene.

According to the report, the explosion occurred in building A5, which is said to house iPad 2 production.

While the potential human toll is obviously the primary concern at this time, it is also unclear just how much of an effect the incident may have on Foxconn's iPad production capabilities. Apple has been struggling to keep up with demand for the new tablet device, seeking to improve component yields and production output to address stock shortages and lengthy shipping estimates.

Update: According to The Wall Street Journal, at least two people have unfortunately been killed in the explosion. At least sixteen others have been injured, with three of those in serious condition.

Related Roundup: iPad
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Neutral)
Related Forum: iPad

Popular Stories

Tim Cook WWDC 2018

Report: Tim Cook to Step Down as Apple CEO 'as Soon as Next Year'

Saturday November 15, 2025 2:40 pm PST by
Apple is preparing for Tim Cook to step down as CEO of the company "as soon as next year," according to the Financial Times. The company's board of directors and senior executives "recently intensified preparations for Cook to hand over the reins," the report said. While the report said that Apple is unlikely to name a new CEO before its next earnings report in late January, it went on to ...
iOS 26

Everything New in iOS 26.2 Beta 3

Monday November 17, 2025 3:20 pm PST by
Apple provided developers with the third beta of an upcoming iOS 26.2 update, and there are still new features that are being added with each beta that we get. We've rounded up all of the changes that Apple made in beta 3. AirDrop Apple added new AirDrop functionality, providing a way for two people to share files temporarily without having to add one another as contacts. iOS 26.2...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4

Thursday November 13, 2025 11:35 am PST by
Apple today released new firmware designed for the AirPods Pro 3, the AirPods 4, and the prior-generation AirPods Pro 2. The AirPods Pro 3 firmware is 8B25, while the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 firmware is 8B21, all up from the prior 8A358 firmware released in October. There's no word on what's include in the updated firmware, but the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4 with ANC, and AirPods Pro 3...
best early black friday deals

Best Black Friday Apple Deals Live Now - Save on AirPods, iPads, and Apple Watches

Saturday November 15, 2025 1:45 pm PST by
We're officially in the month of Black Friday, which will take place on Friday, November 28 in 2025. As always, this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When ...
Apple Wallet ID Illinois

iPhone Driver's License Feature Launching in Illinois

Tuesday November 18, 2025 8:47 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Starting this Wednesday, November 19, the feature will be available to residents of Illinois. The announcement confirmed that the...
iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket Now Available to Order, But Already Selling Out

Friday November 14, 2025 6:20 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. iPhone Pocket is available to order on Apple's online store starting today, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. However, it is already completely sold out in the United...
apple silicon mac lineup 2024 feature purple m5

Apple's 2026 Mac Plans

Friday November 14, 2025 3:23 pm PST by
Most of Apple's Macs are slated to get M5 chips across 2026, and there's a possibility we'll even see the first M6 chips toward the end of the year. Updates are planned for everything from the MacBook Air to the Mac Studio. MacBook Air (Early 2026) The MacBook Air will be one of the first Macs to get a 2026 refresh, with an update planned for the first few months of the year. The MacBook...
applecare apple care banner

Apple Brings New AppleCare+ Options to India

Tuesday November 18, 2025 8:42 am PST by
Apple today announced an expansion of AppleCare+ coverage in India, with new options for monthly and annual plans, and the addition of Theft and Loss for iPhone for the first time. Options for monthly and annual AppleCare+ plans in India provide more choice and flexibility, allowing users to keep coverage for as long as they require. Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product...
CarPlay Liquid Glass Dark

Here's When Tesla is Expected to Add Support for Apple CarPlay

Sunday November 16, 2025 6:49 am PST by
In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reiterated that Tesla plans to add Apple CarPlay support to its vehicles "in the coming months." This is easily the biggest news for the regular version of CarPlay in years, should Tesla actually follow through with offering the system in its vehicles. As noted by Gurman, this would be a stunning reversal for Tesla and its CEO Elon ...
tvOS 26 Profiles

tvOS 26.2 Adds a Useful New Feature to Your Apple TV

Friday November 14, 2025 10:02 am PST by
Starting with the upcoming tvOS 26.2 update, currently in beta, additional profiles created on the Apple TV no longer require their own Apple Account. In the Settings app on the Apple TV, under Profiles and Accounts, anyone can create a new profile by simply entering a name and indicating whether the profile is for a kid. The profile will be associated with the primary user's Apple Account,...

Top Rated Comments

eawmp1 Avatar
189 months ago
My wishes go out to the workers and their families.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
charlituna Avatar
189 months ago

It is obviously unclear at this point just how much of an effect the incident may have on Foxconn's iPad production capabilities.

Seriously????

How about "it is obviously unclear at this point HOW MANY PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE BEEN MAIMED OR KILLED and our hearts go out to them and their families"
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GREEN4U Avatar
189 months ago
This is an Apple forum, not a humanity forum. The article is not offensive.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Pro31 Avatar
189 months ago
This is terrible. I've got an iPad 2 yesterday and it came defective. I'm currently waiting for a replacement. If I do get the replacement I'll be haunted by the idea that the iPad was put together by people who died in this accident (assuming that there were fatal victims). Heck, I might just try to get a refund it that's the case...

If it haunts you I will take it.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iDisk Avatar
189 months ago
A CCTV reporter who is at the scene now said, a witness told the reporter that the explosion happened at 19:10. And, doctor said he had already received 6-7 people injured, and more injuries are coming. The reporter was told to stay away from the building, because there might be a second explosion.

According to Ji Qing Ling’s weibo said,
“the explosion occurred in the A05, at 7 pm, the explosion caused many materials casted out from the building, and there are at least hundreds or more of workers inside the building. The whole building did not collapse yet, I do not know what is going on inside. Now there are more than 10 fire engines, 10 ambulances, many police cars.”
In addition, Sina Tech had made a call to Foxconn’s spokesperson, however his phone is on, but no one is answering. Please stay tuned on us for the latest news.

The explosion is happened in A5 building (A05), and we heard that building is also the production line of iPad 2! 2nd, 3rd and 4th floor are affected as well. The explosion is likely to cause by super-light dust.
Source (http://micgadget.com/12651/breaking-foxconn-chengdu-manufacture-plant-explosion-video/)

Serious situation for the people in the plant. Much prayers are needed.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RafaelT Avatar
189 months ago
Wow some people on here are just amazing. Get over yourselves. The loss of human life and the injuries are horrible, but that doesn't mean news can't include other details or questions.

When something bad happens are we not allowed to ask other questions about the incident and what other effects it will have? Are we supposed to ONLY focus on the loss of life and injuries? Time to bring yourselves back into reality. Most people can feel bad for the families of the dead and hope that the injured workers make a full recovery while still realizing that life goes on and wanting to and expecting to know more about the overall repercussions that the incident will have.

As for how the article was written... With the way the incident unfolded the injuries and death were not immediately known, that is why the info was not included right away. That's usually how it works with mass casualty incidents, it takes a little while for that info to get out. Does that mean that MacRumors or any of the other sites should have simply put up an article saying that there was an explosion at a Foxconn plant but not pose any questions about any fall out from the incident until they could give an exact count on the injuries and then give certain people here a short break so they could feel better about themselves before asking those questions? No

I am sure that more details will be posted as they are released and MacRumors gets a chance to update.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)