Police in China are investigating an accident in which a woman died while using an iPhone 5 which was charging, according to a number of reports.
According to The Guardian, the woman Ma Ailun, 23, had jut got out of the bath when she picked up the iPhone. Apple, which is helping the police in China with its inquiry, said ‘We are deeply saddened to learn of this tragic incident and offer our condolences to the Ma family. We will fully investigate and co-operate with authorities in this matter.’
The company didn’t elaborate on details surrounding the death. According to China Daily, local police in Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region confirmed that the woman died after being electrocuted, but have not confirmed the iPhone was responsible.
Ma’s older sister took to Sina Weibo, China’s Twitter-like network to issue a warning to other phone users. ‘I hope that Apple Inc. can give us an explanation. I also hope that all of you will refrain from using your mobile devices while charging,’ she posted.
The Guardian reported that the ‘climate in Xingiang can become extremely hot during summer, which could contribute to overloads and failures of electrical insulation and equipment’ and said that in the right circumstances, if a charger is not earthed, the 1A current, if it passes through the heart, could be lethal.
