‘Dying in one’s sleep’ is often thought of as the most peaceful way to pass, if there is such a thing. Sadly, this was not the case for fourteen-year-old Alua Asetkyzy Abzalbek from Bastobe, Kazakhstan.
The teenager went to bed with her phone on her pillow, listening to music while she fell asleep. The phone was plugged into a nearby power socket, a typical scene for many people. Then the phone’s battery exploded, severely injuring Alua’s head, and killing her instantly, according to the police. Her family found her in the morning and called the paramedics who could do nothing for the poor teen.
Forensic experts confirmed these statements. The phone exploded in the early morning when it overheated from charging. The brand of the smartphone was not disclosed. Alua’s death was sudden, tragic, and painful for anyone who knew her. Her best friend, Ayazhan Dolasheva, 15, posted on social media: “I still cannot believe it. You were the best. We have been together since childhood. It is so hard for me without you. I miss you so much. You have left me forever.” [1] [2]
The Epidemic of Exploding Phones
Mobile phone after battery explosion. Smartphone burn. Mobile phone caught fire. Mobile smartphone overheat and catch fire. Cable overheat and catch fire. Smartphone burn, bang, blast, blowing up. Source: Shutterstock
Unfortunately, Alua’s cause of death isn’t as unique as we’d like to believe. Earlier this year, a man in India was being filmed on CCTV when the phone in his pocket blew up. He was working in a hardware factory beside two other colleagues when a small explosion was seen in his pants pocket. He jumps up and tries to remove the phone while it smokes intensely. When he manages to extract it from his pocket, it lies on the floor, still filling the room with smoke. The men exit quickly in fear of further explosions.
The owner of the phone got treated for burns on his leg, but fortunately, he was able to remove the phone before it caused him worse damage. [3] Last year, a woman in Shanghai’s Minhang district in East China’s phone exploded on her car’s dashboard — while she was driving. The incident was also captured on camera and her screams reverberate in the background.
