M'sia man, 18, dies from apparent electrocution while charging phone on express bus in Penang

An 18-year-old teenager was apparently electrocuted to death on an express bus at Penang Central on Nov. 2.

Police received a call from the public reporting an individual who was found unconscious at 7:40pm, The Star reported.

The victim boarded an express bus to KL Sentral.

At around 6pm, he was heard screaming and was seen foaming at the mouth.

Witnesses immediately called an ambulance, which arrived at about 6:20pm.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Burn marks were found on the victim's left fingers.

They were suspected to have been caused by an electric shock while he was charging his phone as the cable's end had melted and his phone had overheated, authorities said.

A post-mortem conducted at Seberang Jaya Hospital found no other injuries and indicated no elements of criminal conduct.

Task force formed to investigate incident

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said on Facebook a special task force will be formed to investigate the case, The Star reported.

It will be made up of personnel from the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), Road Transport Department (RTD), and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research.

The bus was ordered to be impounded.

The task force will investigate the cause of the electrocution to ensure passenger safety and prevent such incidents in the future, he added.

Loke also sent his condolences to the family of the 18-year-old victim.

Top photo via Steve Johnson/Unsplash