Fatality linked to fake iPhone charger

A woman has been electrocuted and killed while trying to answer a call on her charging iPhone, according to China’s state television broadcaster.

Initial reports suggest that the victim – 23-year old Ma Ailun from Xinjiang - was using a fake iPhone charger.

Xiang Ligang, an expert in telecommunications, told the broadcaster that “knockoff chargers sometimes cut corners…The quality of the capacitor and circuit protector may not be good, and this may lead to the capacitor breaking down and sending 220 volts of electricity directly into the cell phone battery.”

Apple, makers of the iPhone, expressed their sympathies saying: “We are deeply saddened to learn of this tragic incident and offer our condolences to the Ma family. We will fully investigate and cooperate with authorities in this matter.”

The cause of the incident has not been officially declared but investigations are currently underway by the Chinese police. A similar incident occurred in Beijing involving 30-year old Wu Jian Tong, who survived but is now in a coma.