Three Contract Workers Die in Toxic Gas Incident at Tata Plant Near Hosur

Three contract workers died on the evening of 9 November while working at a Tata Electronics factory in Vanniyapuram near Hosur, Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu. The factory produces casings and other parts for Apple’s iPhones.

The workers were identified as Sarathikumar, aged 25, Akmal Babu Bhai, aged 28, and Kaveri, aged 31. All three were employed through Nelco Company at the plant’s Marigold facility.

“Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of three precious lives in the incident at Tata Electronics’ facility in Hosur.”

According to district collector C Dinesh Kumar, a four-person crew had been assigned to clean the outside of a wastewater-filtering tank. B Akmal reportedly looked into the tank, lost consciousness, and fell inside. M Sarathikumar entered to help and collapsed, followed by supervisor P Kaveri, who also collapsed. The fourth worker went for help.

Factory management pulled the three men out and rushed them to a private hospital in Hosur, where they were pronounced dead. Police suspect toxic gas inhalation, though post-mortem examinations are pending to establish the cause of death.

Nalco Water, part of US company Ecolab, operated the wastewater treatment plant and brought in the crew through another agency, Permacorp, according to the collector. Police and the district administration have launched investigations, and Apple and Tata are also expected to investigate.

Tamil Nadu Minister for Industries Virudhai Magal Keerthana expressed condolences and promised a thorough investigation, directing the district administration to support the affected families with urgency.