Apple supplier Foxconn closes China plant after 40 injured in brawl

Taiwan’s Foxconn Technology Group closed its Taiyuan plant in northern China on Monday after a personal dispute spiralled into a brawl involving 2,000 workers in a dormitory late on Sunday night, injuring 40.

The Taiyuan plant, which employs about 79,000 workers, makes automobile electronic components, consumer electronic components and precision moldings. An employee told Reuters the plant also makes parts and assembles Apple’s iPhone 5.

In a statement, Foxconn cited police as saying about 40 people were taken to hospital for medical attention and a number were arrested.

The company said the incident escalated from what it called a personal dispute between several employees at around 11 pm on Sunday in a privately managed dormitory, and was brought under control by local police at around 3 am.

“The cause of this dispute is under investigation by local authorities and we are working closely with them in this process, but it appears not to have been work-related,” Foxconn said.

China’s Xinhua News Agency, citing Taiyuan City’s public security bureau, reported that about 10 people were hurt in the fighting and around 5,000 police were sent to the scene, bringing it under control as of 9 am.