Production at a Tata Electronics facility in southern India, which manufactures components for Apple iPhones, will remain suspended indefinitely following a fire that occurred over the weekend, officials reported on Monday. Measures are being taken to mitigate further damage from the incident.

M. Velu, a district fire officer, informed Reuters via telephone, "We have deployed fire engines at the site due to the potential for a secondary fire or smoke emissions as we begin to clear the debris from the collapsed structures."

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

The blaze erupted early Saturday at the Tamil Nadu plant, resulting in minor injuries to ten individuals and halting production activities. This incident marks another disruption in Apple's iPhone supply chain in India, coinciding with the company's efforts to diversify its manufacturing base away from China, viewing India as a significant growth opportunity.

Apple has not issued a statement regarding the incident, while Tata has confirmed that an investigation into the fire's cause is underway and that emergency protocols were in place to ensure employee safety.

As of Monday, rescue teams were still engaged in debris removal, and officials faced challenges in conducting inspections due to the extensive damage.

The facility produces essential back panels and various components for iPhones. Another building within the same complex is expected to commence iPhone assembly by the end of the year, though its current status remains uncertain.

District Collector K. M. Sarayu shared images on X after visiting the Tata plant on Sunday, revealing the extent of the damage, including burnt ceilings and soot-covered machinery.

Shilpa Prabhakar Satish, a senior health official who visited the site, described the conditions to Reuters, stating, "The damage is severe, and visibility inside is completely compromised."

"The structure is compromised, with the roof collapsing. Access to the interior is impossible," she added.

Tata Electronics, a division of the $165 billion Tata Group, which spans various sectors from salt to software, is a key supplier for Apple in India, alongside Taiwan's Foxconn.