Old CCTV Clip of Man Biting Exploding Battery Falsely Labeled as India
A 23-second CCTV video from 2018 showing a shopper biting an iPhone replacement lithium-ion battery inside a store in Nanjing, China, has resurfaced widely on social media. In the clip, the battery sparks and bursts into flames almost instantly after being bitten. Recent posts have falsely claimed that the incident occurred in India, but multiple fact-checking organisations have traced the video back to Chinese platforms and confirmed that it is not a recent Indian case.
The renewed circulation of this clip matters because it has revived discussions about lithium battery safety, the risks of counterfeit replacement parts, and the persistent problem of misinformation being spread with misleading context. Although no new incident has been reported in India, the altered claims have created unnecessary confusion and alarm among viewers.
• 2018: Incident captured on CCTV inside a shop in Nanjing, China.
• 2018–2019: First appeared on the Chinese video platform Miaopai.
• Jan–Feb 2026: Went viral again with false claims linking it to India.
• Fact-check: Confirmed that the video is not from India.
• No Indian police department or state authority has reported a matching recent incident.
• Fact-checkers traced the clip to its original Chinese uploads through visual markers and metadata.
• Device manufacturers consistently warn against biting, puncturing, or applying pressure to lithium batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries contain flammable electrolytes and pressurised cells. When physically damaged—such as by biting or puncturing—they can experience an internal short circuit, leading to rapid heat buildup, sparks, and sometimes an explosion. Safety guidelines note that the risk is significantly higher in counterfeit or low-quality replacement batteries that lack proper protective layers.
The viral clip highlights two broader issues: the danger of fake or substandard batteries, and how misleading context in videos can distort public perception. Consumers are advised to use authorised service centres, and social media users are encouraged to verify sources before sharing sensational content.
Background and context
The man in the video appears to be examining the battery inside a retail shop. Within seconds of biting it, the battery ignites and bursts into flames, prompting a quick reaction from store staff. The footage was widely discussed in Chinese media at the time, but has now been recirculated with a false claim that it happened in India.
Fact-checkers analysed visual cues such as Chinese signage, store layout, and the original upload trail on Miaopai, concluding that the incident occurred in Nanjing in 2018. There is no matching Indian location, date, or police record linked to this clip.
This pattern of miscontextualised sharing is not new. Similar older accident videos have previously been repurposed and attributed to different countries to generate engagement, often at the cost of public trust.
Who is involved
No Indian individual or institution is connected to the original event. The 2018 incident involved only the customer and staff of the Nanjing store. In the current viral cycle, the spread has been driven by general social media users and some pages sharing the clip with incorrect captions.
Regulation and standards
In India, lithium battery safety is governed by BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) guidelines and e-waste management rules, which aim to curb the sale of counterfeit batteries. However, risks remain in online and informal markets where fake replacements are still available.
Broader implications
The case underscores the intersection of consumer safety, digital literacy, and fact-checking. Misinformation does not just create confusion—it can also desensitise people to real risks or distract from genuine safety concerns.
What is confirmed vs what is still being verified
Confirmed: The video is from Nanjing, China in 2018; it is not a recent Indian incident.
Under verification: Whether the latest wave of viral posts is part of a coordinated misinformation effort.
Disclosure
This report is based on publicly available information and independent fact-check findings. Details may be updated if new official data emerges.
Expert / legal clarification (in simple terms)
A lithium battery is not a bomb, but it can be dangerous if damaged. Biting, puncturing, heating, or using counterfeit batteries greatly increases the risk of fire or explosion. Using authorised replacement parts is the safest option.
FAQs
1) Is the video real?
Yes, but it is from 2018 in China.
2) Has such an incident happened recently in India?
No, recent viral claims are misleading.
3) How can users avoid such risks?
Use only authorised service centres and avoid counterfeit batteries.
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