Girl, 12 killed by massive electric shock after plugging in mobile phone charger

A 12-year-old girl has been electrocuted by a phone charger as she was plugging it in.

Laisa Sofia da Silva Teixeira, from Colonia do Piaui in the north-eastern Brazilian state of Piaui, reportedly survived the initial shock but sadly succumbed to her injuries while being treated in an emergency ward.

The massive electrical discharge was so severe, it virtually destroyed the charger itself, say local reports.

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Local government officials cancelled classes at the town's schools the following day, Monday, June 19, as a mark of respect, according to local media, and the entire town is in a state of mourning.

The Colonia do Piaui town council said in a statement: "It is with deep sadness that the City Hall of Colonia do Piaui received the news of the early death of Laisa Sofia da Silva Teixeira, which occurred on 18th June.

"In this moment of pain, we sympathise with the bereaved family, especially with her mother, Ivone Maria da Silva, and her father, Edvaldo Jose Teixeira.

"Laisa Sofia da Silva Teixeira will always be fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her. May her soul rest in peace."

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Here in the UK, consumers have been warned against buying cheap, Chinese-made chargers because of the dangers of fire and electric shock.

Trading Standards officers issued a warning about 'fake chargers' in 2016, saying:

"During a recent operation investigators bought 400 counterfeit Apple chargers from suppliers around the world, online, and found that 397 of them failed a basic safety test."

Leon Livermore, Chartered Trading Standards Institute chief executive, warned that people should only buy online electrical goods from trusted suppliers.

“It might cost a few pounds more but counterfeit and second-hand goods are an unknown entity that could cost you your home or even your life, or the life of a loved-one.”

Many imported chargers do not satisfy UK safety regulations and can cause serious electric shock, injury or fire.

Suppliers and retailers have a legal duty to ensure that all electrical equipment they sell is safe.

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