There have been variations of posts showing a man allegedly electrocuted at a train station. One from a Twitter search was published on December 27, 2022. This one just like the rest claims the cause of the man’s death was an electrocution by overhead cables with 25,000 volts.
Another similar post adds, “the current from the high tension cable of the track entered the mobile phone as the bluetooth function was activated, passing through the headphones to the brain.”
Background
An electric shock or electrocution happens when an electric current comes to contact with the body. In extreme cases, an electrocution may cause tissue damage from electrical burns.
Verification
A reverse image search reveals the men in the video are rail workers in Kharagpur, West Bengal. According to a fact-check by the Daily Mail, a live wire fell between these men, electrocuting the one on the left. Another reverse search identifies the man as Sujan Singh Sardar. A fact-check by New Delhi’s TV says the man sustained burns and was rushed to hospital.
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology. Technically, it is not possible to get electrocuted simply by using bluetooth headsets next to high-voltage or live electric cables. Headphones don’t have enough voltage to cause an electrocution. However, in instances where the headphone is faulty, there is a power, faulty chargers or exposed wires then an electrocution will most likely happen.
Verdict
NO, this man was not electrocuted for using Bluetooth headsets on a railway platform.
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