Apple launches probe after Chinese woman, 23, dies 'from massive electric shock while answering her iPhone 5'
A bride-to-be has died after being electrocuted while answering her iPhone 5 in China, it has been reported.
Ma Ailun, a former flight attendant with China Southern Airlines, allegedly suffered a massive electric shock when she picked up her ringing smartphone while it charged.
The 23-year-old, who was planning her wedding on August 8, was rushed to hospital near her home in Xinjiang but medics were unable to revive her.
Apple launches probe after Chinese bride-to-be, 23, dies 'from massive electric shock while answering her iPhone 5'
Ma Ailun, a China Southern Airlines air hostess, died in Xinjian, China
Family say she was answering her iPhone 5 at home while it was charging
Apple have launched investigation into claims and are 'helping authorities'
iPhone 5 was launched with much fanfare across world in September
Apple has launched an urgent safety probe into its iPhone 5 after a bride-to-be died from a massive electric shock while allegedly answering the smartphone in China.
Ma Ailun, a former flight attendant with China Southern Airlines, collapsed to the ground when she picked up her recharging mobile at home on Thursday, her family said.
The 23-year-old, who was planning her wedding on August 8, was rushed to hospital in Xinjiang, northwest China, but medics were unable to revive her.
Her brother, Yuelun, told Apple Daily that the family believe she died from an electric shock while answering a call and that the phone and its accessories have been handed over to police.
Her sister then tweeted: 'I want to warn everyone else not to make phone calls when your mobile phone is recharging.'
She said Ma had bought the iPhone in December at an official Apple store and was using the original charger to recharge the phone when the incident occurred.
Apple, who manufactures the state-of-the-art smartphone, said it had launched a 'thorough investigation' into the incident.
A spokesman for the technology company said: 'We are deeply saddened to learn of this tragic incident and offer our condolences to the family. We will fully investigate and co-operate with authorities in this matter.'
Mobile phones have a relatively low electrical output of between 3 to 5 volts - much less than the 36 volts it takes for a person to feel a shock.
But experts say if the charger or the circuit has a problem, such as a broken wire, it can lead to a shock of 220 volts.
Johnny Sin Kin-on, a professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, told the South China Morning Post: 'There is a risk using an electrical device while its installed battery is being charged, be it a shaver or a phone.'
The iPhone 5's much-vaunted launch last September saw thousands of Apple fans queue for days outside Apple stores across the world to be the first to get their hands on the state-of-the-art gadget.
Grinning customers were greeted with cheers and high fives from staff as they walked into stores ready to grab the latest hotly-anticipated smartphone.
It costs $199, $299 and $399 in the U.S., depending on the amount of memory, has a larger screen and is lighter and slimmer than the previous model.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z2Z6nU3Wdv
