In the town of Montefalcione, southern Italy, a tragic incident unfolded that claimed the life of a 16-year-old girl named Maria Antonietta Cutillo. While taking a bath and engrossed in conversation with a friend on the phone, Maria suffered a fatal electrocution.
Reports indicate that Maria had her phone charging in her hand when, tragically, it slipped from her grasp and plummeted into the bathtub. The impact of the phone in the water caused a sudden short circuit, leading to the unfortunate and untimely demise of the young girl.
At the time of the incident, Maria’s parents were absent from the house. The news of her death has sent shockwaves throughout the town of Irpinia, where her family is well-respected and deeply embedded in the community.
Regrettably, this incident is not an isolated occurrence, as similar tragedies have been reported in various parts of the world. In 2020, a 15-year-old French schoolgirl named Tiffenn lost her life in a comparable situation. Additionally, in 2019, a 13-year-old girl in Amsterdam experienced an electric shock while in the bathtub but fortunately survived, albeit with amnesia.
These distressing incidents highlight the potential dangers associated with electrical devices and water. In a separate incident from 2017, Richard Bull from London, UK, tragically lost his life when his iPhone charger made contact with water. Following an inquest, his death was ruled accidental, prompting a report to be sent to Apple with recommendations to prevent similar accidents in the future.
Electrical Safety First, a charitable organization dedicated to promoting electrical safety, has emphasized the inherent risks posed by having electrical appliances in proximity to water. They stress that mobile devices like phones and laptops do not pose a direct risk of electrocution when not being charged. However, connecting these devices to a power source through a charger significantly increases the potential for harm, especially in wet and vulnerable environments like bathrooms.
The organization encourages individuals to exercise caution and adopt safety measures to prevent such tragic incidents. This includes refraining from using electronic devices while in or near water, ensuring that electrical outlets in bathrooms are properly installed and protected, and being mindful of the potential hazards associated with charging devices in wet areas.
The devastating loss of Maria Antonietta Cutillo serves as a stark reminder of the importance of electrical safety and the need for increased awareness and precautionary measures. As communities come to terms with this heartbreaking event, it is hoped that efforts will be made to educate and inform individuals about the potential risks to prevent further tragedies of this nature from occurring in the future.
