Apple to investigate death of woman who answered iPhone while it charged

Apple to investigate death of woman who answered iPhone while it charged

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

By Lee Chyen

Apple is investigating an accident in which a Chinese woman was killed by an electric shock when answering a call on her iPhone 5 while it was charging, the US technology company said.

Last Thursday, Ma Ailun, a 23-year-old woman from China?s western Xinjiang region and a flight attendant with China Southern Airlines, was electrocuted when she took a call on the charging mobile telephone, the official Xinhua news agency quoted police as saying.

?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,? Apple said.

Apple declined to comment on details, such as whether this was an isolated case.

Ma?s sister tweeted on Sina?s microblog saying that Ma collapsed and died after using her charging iPhone 5 and urged users to be careful, a message that went viral on the site.

She said: ?Hope Apple can give an explanation!

?What a shame, to pass away like this.?

Xinhua said local police had confirmed Ma died of electrocution but ?have yet to verify if her phone was involved?.

In April, Apple apologised to Chinese consumers and altered iPhone warranty policies in its second-biggest market when its after-sales service suffered more than two weeks of condemnation by the state-run media. Chinese consumers had to pay about $80 for new back covers for their devices, even though they were free in other markets, local media reported.

In a letter in Chinese at the time, chief executive Tim Cook said: ?We sincerely apologise for any concerns or misunderstanding,? adding Apple has ?many things we have to learn? about operating in the country.

Last week a Swiss woman has claimed that her Samsung Galaxy S3 exploded, causing severe burns on her leg.

Fanny Schlatter, 18, told the Swiss daily Le Matin that she was carrying her phone in her pocket when it combusted.

She said it ripped off her trouser leg and gave her ?severe? burns.

Ms Schlatter is planning to make a legal complaint against Samsung.

A company spokesperson said: ?Once we have gotten hold of the product in question, we will conduct a thorough examination to determine the exact cause of this incident.?

? Irish Examiner Ltd. All rights reserved

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