[Captured from Chinese social media]
[Captured from Chinese social media]

A man in China's Hubei Province suffered serious injuries after the smartphone in his pants pocket suddenly exploded while he was playing badminton.

According to China Press and other local outlets, the man fell during a game and the phone in his pocket exploded as he was getting back up, leaving him with severe burns. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Closed-circuit television footage posted online captured the moment the man fell on the court. As he attempted to stand, sparks suddenly burst from his pants pocket, startling a nearby friend, who stumbled backward.

The man sustained deep second-degree burns to his legs and is receiving hospital treatment. Deep second-degree burns damage the epidermis and a significant portion of the dermis and can leave permanent scarring even after treatment.

The phone was reportedly only two months old at the time of the incident. The manufacturer and model have not been confirmed.

The exact cause of the explosion has not been determined, but the impact from the fall is considered a likely factor. In lithium-ion batteries, a strong impact or pressure can damage the internal separator, causing a short circuit that may lead to a fire.

Local media cautioned people against keeping smartphones in their pants pockets during physical activity, warning that falls or collisions with other players can subject the device to damaging impacts.


bbo@heraldcorp.com