EV toll rises as Boom Corbett battery explosion kills Vijayawada man

A 40-year-old man from Andhra Pradesh’s Vijayawada was killed and his wife injured when the battery of their electric scooter exploded while charging on Saturday.

The incident comes days after an 80-year-old man was killed in a similar accident in Telangana’s Nizamabad district.

Police said the victim Kotakonda Siva Kumar, had bought the vehicle – a Boom Corbett 14 scooter – a day before the accident. The blast occurred at Kumar’s residence in Gulabi Thota at around 3.30 am when the battery of the scooter was charging in the living room. The explosion caused a fire, creating a blanket of smoke.

Neighbours who saw the smoke coming out of the house broke open the door and rescued the family.

Kumar, who had sustained burn injuries succumbed on the way to the hospital. His wife, who is critical, is being treated in a private hospital.

Their two children, who had suffered from asphyxiation are in a stable condition now, police said.

“The exact cause of the explosion is not known. Fire services personnel also visited the scene to determine the cause. We have also spoken to the EV company to check whether electric short circuit could be the reason for the battery explosion,” Suryaraopet inspector of police V Janaki Ramaiah told NDTV.

A case has been filed on the incident and an investigation is underway.