Amazon to Act Against India Delivery Partner Once Fire Probe Wraps Up

Amazon has signaled it will take firm action against one of its third-party logistics partners in India after local authorities conclude their investigation into a deadly warehouse fire that claimed two lives in Uttarakhand.

The fire broke out on June 5 at a facility operated by M&M Logistics Solutions, a delivery partner working under the Amazon network. A police document reviewed by Reuters indicated that the warehouse allegedly lacked a valid fire safety clearance and was missing critical safety infrastructure, including fire alarms, smoke detectors, and a proper emergency exit.

In an official statement, Amazon confirmed it would respond in line with its internal policies once the police investigation is complete. The company has also initiated its own independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Uttarakhand Police and M&M Logistics Solutions did not respond to media requests for comment.

The tragedy has cast a harsh spotlight on workplace safety practices within India's rapidly growing logistics sector. The Amazon India Workers Union has called for an independent judicial investigation into the deaths, characterizing the fire as a significant breakdown in worker safety and protection standards.

Amazon has reiterated that the safety and well-being of workers are central to its operations. Its supplier code of conduct mandates that all third-party vendors maintain safe working environments and explicitly prohibits conditions that fall short of fire safety requirements. The policy further empowers Amazon to suspend or terminate any contractor found to be in violation of these standards.

M&M Logistics Solutions operates 45 Amazon delivery centres spread across 21 cities in northern India, according to a 2023 Amazon press release, underscoring the scale of the partnership now under scrutiny.