Woman loses both forearms in hair dryer explosion
PTC Web Desk: In a tragic incident reported from Ilkal town in Bagalkot district, Karnataka, where 37-year-old Basamma Yaranal lost both her forearms after a hair dryer she was testing exploded in her hands. Basamma, the widow of a former Army personnel, was severely injured when the explosion occurred on Wednesday.
Basamma had received the package, containing the hair dryer, on behalf of her neighbour Shashikala. Since Shashikala was out of town, she had asked Basamma to collect the parcel. Upon unwrapping the package at her home, Basamma plugged the hair dryer into the power socket, and it exploded instantly. The explosion was so violent that it shattered her fingers and severed her forearms.
According to preliminary investigations, the explosion may have been caused by an electrical short circuit, as the hair dryer was designed to operate on a 2-watt electrical connection that was not available. Basamma’s brother-in-law, Shivangowda Yaranal, said Basamma tested the device after receiving it from the courier delivery, which was addressed to Shashikala.
The manufacturer of the hair dryer has been identified as a company based in Visakhapatnam. Although Shashikala has denied ordering the device online, the local authorities suspect it may have been purchased through an online order.
Basamma is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Ilkal. The Ilkal Police Station has registered a case, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the explosion.
- With inputs from agencies
