Death toll rises in Foxconn explosion

The death toll has risen to thee from an explosion at Foxconn's factory in Chengdu, which makes the iPad 2, the company confirmed Monday. Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Foxconn's parent, also said it has suspended product polishing work at factories in China for a safety audit, after materials used in the process were found at fault in the Chengdu explosion.

Two people initially died in an explosion the company says was triggered by combustible materials in an air duct. A third later died and at least 15 more were injured. Apple has said it is investigating the explosion and Foxconn, the world's largest contract maker of electronics and no stranger to scandal in China, has expressed sympathy for the families involved. Still it seems the situation is being handled in a way typical of sensitive events in China. Investigators for the labor rights group Students and Scholars Against Corporate Misbehavior — which recently criticized labor conditions at the newly built Chengdu factory — were detained while trying to visit families of victims on Sunday, after police apparently mistook them for journalists.

Most information about the explosion and aftermath have come through official channels and company statements.