Foxconn: Weekend explosion at plant won't affect iPad shipments

An explosion that rocked the Foxconn factory over the weekend in Chengdu, China responsible for manufacturing the iPad would not cause supply disruptions, the company has said. The blast -- blamed on combustible dust that ignited in an air duct -- killed three and injured 15.

The incident is only the latest in a series of embarrassing issues for Apple when it comes to one of its primary manufacturing partners. Foxconn has had a well known suicide problem that has given it bad press for more than two years now, and allegations of poor working conditions as early as 2006, which Apple was forced to address.

Some had estimated that the blast could delay the shipments of as many as 2.8 million iPads, although others claimed the plant was a secondary source for the devices. UBS Investment Research estimated that less than 20 percent of all iPads shipped originate from the Chengdu plant.

That said, Foxconn did say that its other plants would temporarily halt production while it ensures a similar incident would not occur at any of its other plants.

Apple did not respond to requests from Betanews as of press time for comment on the matter, but had told Reuters earlier that it was cooperating with Foxconn in an investigation into what happened. "We are deeply saddened by the tragedy at the Foxconn plant in Chengdu and our hearts go out to the victims and their families," Apple spokesperson Steve Dowling said in a statement.