19/06/2026 12:38 - Actualidad
María Lucila Pagani (47), a teacher and researcher at the National University of Córdoba (UNC), passed away on June 18, 2026 after remaining in critical condition at the Burn Institute of Hospital Córdoba. The tragedy began when her mobile phone's battery exploded while charging inside a moving car traveling along Route E-53 in Córdoba province. The incident occurred on the evening of June 14, 2026.
According to police sources, the driver (43) lost control of the vehicle after the fire broke out inside the cabin, crashing into a culvert. Pagani, who was riding in the passenger seat, suffered multiple trauma injuries and severe burns that caused respiratory complications leading to her death. The driver is currently out of danger at the Municipal Hospital of Unquillo.
Córdoba is Argentina's second-largest city and an important educational hub, home to the National University of Córdoba (UNC), founded in 1613 and one of Latin America's oldest universities. Route E-53 is a provincial road connecting various localities in the region.
The tragic incident reignited the debate about lithium-ion battery safety, technology present in virtually all smartphones. According to the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), an international organization specializing in fire safety, the phenomenon behind these incidents is called thermal runaway.
It's a chain chemical reaction. When a battery cell is damaged, overheats, or receives more voltage than tolerable, it begins decomposing its internal components. This releases flammable gases and raises temperature exponentially until ignition occurs. Charles Fleischmann, from FSRI, warns that in some cases, only seconds pass between visible smoke and an explosion.
Manufacturers incorporate a BMS (Battery Management System), a system that monitors voltage and temperature, automatically cutting power if dangerous values are detected. The risk increases when this system fails or when counterfeit batteries or uncertified chargers are used, which don't respect voltage parameters.
Specialists cited by Infobae indicate that, beyond manufacturing defects, external factors can precipitate thermal runaway. Among them, charging a cell phone inside a car exposed to sunlight is a dangerous combination that can lead to critical overheating.
| Risk Factor | Explanation and Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Non-original chargers | They don't respect voltage and current parameters for which the battery was designed. Always use original or certified chargers. |
| Heat exposure | Direct sunlight or charging in enclosed vehicles increases temperature. Avoid charging in hot or unventilated places. |
| Previous physical damage | Impacts or drops can puncture the internal separator. Check if battery is swollen or casing deformed. |
| Unsupervised charging | Especially at night or in confined spaces. Don't leave charging for very long periods unattended. |
The failure rate of lithium batteries is very low, approximately 1 in 1 million, according to industry estimates. However, using uncertified accessories and exposure to extreme conditions significantly increases danger.
Do not use water. A carbon dioxide fire extinguisher (class B or C) is recommended, or smother the fire with sand or fire blanket. At any warning sign (overheating, strange smell, swelling), stop using the device immediately.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
