A 16-year-old boy who suffered burns across 80% of his body after a large flag allegedly came into contact with a high-voltage power line in Kedah has died after fighting for his life for more than a week.
The victim, identified as Xu Zhikang (transliterated), passed away at around 1am today, according to Alor Setar City Council member Datuk Chah Boon Chuan. Chah said he received a call from the boy’s father at around 2am, informing him of the tragic news.
According to the father, Xu underwent an eight- to nine-hour skin grafting operation on Oct 19. However, his condition remained unstable after the surgery as his body’s resistance weakened, and he eventually succumbed to his injuries.
His body will be brought back to his family home in Salenggang, Kedah, where funeral arrangements will be held for three days.
Flag parade turns tragic
The incident happened at around 8.45pm on Oct 13 near the Lotus’s hypermarket in Mergong, Kedah.
At the time, the Mergong Dou Mu Gong temple was holding a religious procession for the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, with a flag troupe performing along the parade route.
During the performance, a strong gust of wind allegedly pushed a large flag off course, bringing its pole dangerously close to a high-voltage power line and causing three people to suffer electric shocks. All three victims were rushed to hospital for treatment.
According to a police statement, the 16-year-old student suffered burns covering 80% of his body, while a 17-year-old student sustained burns to both hands, affecting around 20% of his body. The third victim, a 17-year-old employee at a motorcycle parts shop, suffered burns to his face and both hands, covering approximately 40% of his body.
Xu’s death has added to the tragedy of the incident, which left three people injured during what was supposed to be a religious celebration.
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