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Exploding Cell Phone Kills Man

Chinese cops suspect counterfeit battery may have caused phone to blow up

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 3, 2009 4:57 AM CST
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(Newser) – A man in Guangzhou, China, was killed last week when his cell phone blew up and severed an artery in his neck, the Times of London reports. The young shop clerk is believed to have put the phone in his breast pocket straight after charging a new battery before it exploded. Police are investigating whether the phone or battery were counterfeit and warn that consumers should always use original batteries.

Claiming that this is the ninth cell phone explosion recorded in China since 2002, a local paper offered these other tips on how to avoid being injured or killed by your phone:

  • Never modify your phone
  • Do not expose your phone to high temperatures or direct sunlight
  • Avoid long phone conversations
  • Keep your phone in a bag, not a pocket

Police cordon off a shop in Guangzhou where a worker was killed by an exploding cell phone.
Police cordon off a shop in Guangzhou where a worker was killed by an exploding cell phone.   (Guangzhou News)
A man walks past banners promoting mobile services in Beijing. Cell phone use is rocketing in China but authorities warn that counterfeit phones and batteries can be dangerous.
A man walks past banners promoting mobile services in Beijing. Cell phone use is rocketing in China but authorities warn that counterfeit phones and batteries can be dangerous.   (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Chinese police warned consumers to stick with original batteries.
Chinese police warned consumers to stick with original batteries.
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Daniel Stein
Jan 27, 2011 1:06 PM CST
whats scary is the amount of counterfeit sh*t coming from overseas...if people only knew how much customs really did they would be shocked....sometimes entire cargo ships (thousands of tons of goods) are completely packed with counterfeit goods. Take into consideration how many shipping containers are coming in and out a port on any day. If just ONE of those counterfeit containers gets through it will pay for the ones confiscated. I used to think the worst part about this was the effect on our economy, but I've been hearing more and more about counterfeit products maiming and killing people! This is crazy..we've gotta keep this crap from getting through our borders or soon you'll be seeing Americans getting blown up by crap cellphone batteries
riffran
Feb 7, 2009 12:42 AM CST
The phone was made by the sum Ting Wong corporation.....
Guest
Feb 4, 2009 5:26 AM CST
yeah wasn't this on mythbusters?

Make and model of phone being investigated
Shanghaiist

Korean 'exploding phone' death revealed to be coverup
Sydney Morning Herald

 
China • cell phones • counterfeit • battery • death • explosion • Guangzhou

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