Early this morning (mid evening local time), Foxconn’s Chengdu manufacturing facility was rocked by a large explosion. At least two people have been killed and 16 injured in the blast which has been said to have originated in the “polishing plant” part of the iPad 2 production line.
One Chinese news source has described one of the walls as “shattered”; though the structural integrity of the facility has not officially been determined. Another site has several videos of the aftermath, including smoke pouring from the building.
Government officials and emergency personnel are working to determine the cause of the explosion, but sources are pointing to “ultra light dust” used in the polishing process. Police have supposedly ruled out foul play.
It has yet to be determined how this will affect iPad 2 availability, which has already been in short supply due to heavy demand.
Not a headline I ever expected to see.
:-(