A 16-year-old girl from Italy has tragically passed away after her phone slipped into the bathtub while she was on a video call with a friend.
Maria Antonietta Cutillo, from Avellino in southern Italy, was reportedly using her phone while taking a bath at her family’s home when the accident occurred. The phone was plugged in and charging at the time, and when it fell into the water, it is believed to have caused a fatal electric shock.
Local reports confirm that her family was not home during the incident. When the call with her friend was suddenly cut off, the concerned friend alerted emergency services.
Maria’s body was later taken to the Moscati Hospital morgue in Avellino for autopsy, and authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. According to sources, her father is a well-known local butcher in the Irpinia region.
Following the tragedy, the friend who was on the video call with Maria posted an emotional tribute on TikTok, writing:
“You flew to heaven, my love. You left screaming my name during a video call. I’ll never forget that moment, the last call, the last laugh, the last nonsense together. Your voice keeps echoing in my head. I miss you with all my heart.”
Maria’s sudden death has sparked renewed warnings about the dangers of using plugged-in electronic devices near water.
A Rare but Real Danger
Though rare, deaths caused by electrocution involving phones have occurred around the world. In 2023, 27-year-old Wanchai Deengam from Thailand died after falling asleep with his charging phone next to him. The power strip he used was overloaded with multiple devices, including rice cookers and fans, leading investigators to believe a short circuit caused the fatal shock.
Similarly, a French schoolgirl died in 2020 under nearly identical circumstances when a charging phone fell into her bath.
These heartbreaking stories are reminders of the serious risks posed by mixing electricity and water , even in situations that seem safe or routine. Authorities urge everyone to avoid using plugged-in devices near water to prevent further tragedies.
