iPad Factory Explosion Hospitalizes 23

An explosion at a factory owned by Pegatron subsidiary Riteng Computer Accessory Company has injured up to 61 people and left 23 hospitalized. The factory, which hasn’t opened for production yet, was apparently prepping to make back panels for the iPad 2.

Reports claim there wasn’t a fire associated with the explosion, according to Reuters, and Apple is launching its own investigation into the incident. The factory was located in Shanghai’s Songjiang industrial park.

Several people were injured at an iPad 2 parts factorySeveral people were injured at an iPad 2 parts factory

Apple spokesperson Carolyn Wu commented, “Our hearts go out to the people who were hurt in Songjiang. We are working closely with Pegatron to understand the cause of this accident.”

Pegatron CFO Charles Lin confirmed the explosion and added, “The factory has not started operations yet. Part of the facility is still under pre-operation inspection and part is running trial production.”

Earlier this year, an explosion at a Foxconn iPad 2 parts polishing factory killed three people and injured 15 others. The explosion was caused by combustible aluminum dust that built up in air ducts.

Apple and Pegatron have not confirmed that the Songjiang factory would be making iPad 2 parts, although the fact that Apple is launching its own investigation into the incident is a fairly clear indicator that the location was slated to make something for the Cupertino-based company.