Houston Community News >> Chinese Man Killed by Exploding Motorola Phone
7/9/2007-- Xiao Jinpeng, a 22
year-old Chinese man, has been killed by his Motorola mobile phone, the battery
of which apparently exploded while in his chest pocket, causing rib fragments to
pierce his heart. Although exploding batteries have been an issue in the past
(certainly with laptops), this is the first fatality that's ever been recorded
from a mobile phone.
Motorola are currently investigating, but the fact that the phone was being used
in a high temperature environment (an iron mill), and the battery may have been
either a secondary or after-market battery, may be the more likely cause than
any issue with Motorola's phones.
According to TechNewsWorld, Motorola spokesperson Jennifer Erickson said
"Motorola's priority is, and always has been, the safety of our customers, and
all Motorola products are designed, manufactured and tested to meet or exceed
international and local standards for consumer safety and performance,"
"At this time, preliminary evidence suggests that it is highly unlikely that a
cell phone caused this accident; however, we are cooperating with the Chinese
authorities to determine and investigate the root cause," Erickson added. "Of
course, our thoughts and prayers are with the individual's family and friends,"
she said.
(Contributed by TechNewsWorld.com)