A social media influencer from Kazakhstan suffered serious burns after a power bank inside her handbag suddenly exploded and burst into flames as she was leaving a gym.
The frightening incident involved 27-year-old Dilyara Khamzina, who was caught on CCTV moments before the explosion occurred.
Footage showed Dilyara placing her phone on a bench and changing into her slippers when smoke suddenly began pouring from a handbag slung over her shoulder.
Seconds later, the power bank exploded near her face, creating a fireball that quickly spread to her hair and clothing.
The shocking video captured the influencer desperately trying to remove the burning bag while flames engulfed parts of her body.
The bag eventually fell to the ground, where it continued burning as gym staff rushed to assist.
Dilyara suffered severe burns to her scalp, hair, eyebrows and eyelashes, as well as injuries to the right side of her body, neck and arm.
Speaking to her followers online, she described the terrifying ordeal.
“Basically, I was on fire. My power bank exploded and my hair caught fire,” she said.
“I didn’t understand what was happening. Everything around me went silent except for the sound of explosions.
“Then I realised my bag was on fire and I tried to throw it away.”
A member of the gym staff initially attempted to extinguish the blaze using a fire extinguisher but was unsuccessful. The burning bag was later moved outside, where the flames were eventually brought under control.
Emergency services were called immediately, with an ambulance arriving within five minutes to treat Dilyara at the scene.
Although she initially underestimated the severity of her injuries, she later became distressed after seeing the extent of the burns.
“When I looked in the mirror and saw my burnt hair, I became hysterical,” she said.
The content creator and art director was later taken to a specialist burn centre for treatment before continuing her recovery at home.
Dilyara said the pain worsened several days after the incident but remains hopeful of making a full recovery.
She has since urged others to be cautious when using portable charging devices, particularly during hot weather.
“Be careful when choosing power banks. Check for cracks, dents or any damage. Don’t keep suspicious or damaged devices in your bag or car, especially on hot days,” she warned.
Reports said temperatures reached around 32°C on the day of the incident.
The incident has sparked fresh discussion online about the potential dangers of damaged lithium-ion batteries and the importance of using certified charging devices.
