First Official Death from Electronic Cigarette Reported in Thailand
Fragments from E-Cigarette Penetrate Lungs and Heart, Causing Fatal Injuries
The death of a man in his 40s due to an electronic cigarette explosion in Thailand has caused shock. This marks the first officially reported fatality caused by an electronic cigarette in Thailand. On October 18, local media outlets such as Channel 7 reported that a 47-year-old man was found dead in a canal in the Mueang district of Nong Bua Lamphu province, northeastern Thailand, where he had been fishing. The cause of death was revealed to be an explosion of the electronic cigarette battery.
The 47-year-old man, who had gone fishing at the site, was discovered dead with severe injuries to his face, left hand, and chest. Initially, there were suspicions of homicide, but after a comprehensive autopsy, the cause of death was confirmed as an electronic cigarette battery explosion. According to the police, the victim had serious injuries to his mouth, face, chest, and left hand, with burn marks and soot stains on his mouth and hand. Notably, his left hand had torn flesh and embedded metal fragments, which police identified as typical signs of an electronic cigarette explosion.
The police, citing the autopsy report, stated that three pieces of metal lodged in the victim's chest were confirmed to be components of the electronic cigarette. The battery caused a powerful explosion, and the fragments penetrated the lungs and heart, resulting in fatal internal injuries. The police explained, "There were no gunshot wounds, only fragments from the electronic cigarette. The lungs and heart suffered fatal injuries."
It was concluded that the victim died instantly after the explosion. The device involved in the accident is believed to have used a low-quality or modified battery, which is frequently cited as a cause in incidents involving Chinese-made electronic cigarettes. The police warned, "Electronic cigarette batteries are small but deadly. They can explode without warning," and urged, "Do not risk your life for a single puff."
Exploded electronic cigarette fragments from a man's body (right) and parts of the electronic cigarette device found at the death scene. Nong Bua Lamphu Police Station, Thailand. Photo by Nong Bua Lamphu Police Station
While this is the first death from an electronic cigarette explosion in Thailand, several such incidents have been reported in the United States. In January 2019, in Tarrant County, Texas, a 24-year-old man died after his carotid artery was ruptured by an electronic cigarette explosion. An X-ray of the man revealed fragments of the device lodged in his neck. In May 2018, in St. Petersburg, Florida, a 38-year-old man died after his electronic cigarette exploded while he was using it, with two fragments penetrating his skull. The man was found dead in his burning bedroom, having suffered burns on 80% of his body.
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