The much-anticipated release of Apple’s iPhone 6 may be delayed after an explosion at a metal-polishing plant in China halted production at nearby comparable factories.
Slated to be released in mid-October, the next generation iPhone’s debut could be pushed back as a result of a dust explosion Saturday at a car hubcap factory in the city of Kunshan, which killed 75 people and injured 186.
The tragedy triggered a nationwide halt in production over the weekend as the State Administration of Work Safety sent officials to inspect factories in the area that also polish metal, including Foxconn — a major Apple supply chain, according to the Chinese Web site TechWeb.
The body of the popular iPhone is made of aluminum alloy, which must be polished at factories such as Foxconn. Apple is expected to announce the new iPhone release date in September.