A Xiaomi SU7 electric sedan caught fire following a severe collision early on Sunday in Chengdu, Sichuan province, resulting in the death of the driver, local authorities and media reports said.
The crash occurred at around 3:16 a.m. when the vehicle, reportedly the Ultra variant priced at 529,900 yuan, collided with another sedan, crossed the median strip, and caught fire. Videos circulating on Chinese social media showed the car ablaze at the roadside, with bystanders attempting unsuccessfully to open the doors.
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Local firefighters arrived to extinguish the blaze, during which the vehicle emitted explosive sounds. Rescuers eventually had to cut open the doors with hammers and electric saws. The vehicle’s frame was left severely damaged after the fire was put out.
Police said the driver, a 31-year-old man surnamed Deng, was suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol. “The driver tragically died in the accident,” the authorities said in a statement.
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The incident has drawn attention on social media, reviving concerns about EV safety following crashes in China involving high-voltage battery vehicles.
Source: CNEVPOST