A 21-year-old student from Wuhan City College in central China’s Hubei province has sustained burns to 90% of his body after his roommate’s electric bicycle battery exploded in their apartment in July 2024.
Du Junhao, who was in his third year at college, faced a life-threatening situation when his roommate Li Jiajun’s e-bike battery caught fire at 6 am and released toxic gas throughout their rented flat.
Before the explosion, Li insisted on charging the e-bike in the house despite Du telling him several times that it was dangerous.
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Making the incident worse, surveillance footage from the hallway captured Li fleeing the scene and then returning to shut the door with Du still inside.
The automatic locking mechanism on the door trapped Du inside for half a minute, during which he inhaled toxic fumes and suffered severe burns.
Du remained silent about the incident until his 22nd birthday on 11 April 2025, when he stated he would never forgive Li.
“My parents had to borrow money everywhere to save me, and they suffered from the pain of donating me their skin,” Du said.
Multiple Surgeries and Financial Burden Following E-bike Battery Incident
The explosion has forced Du to put his promising future on hold. Before the accident, he was looking forward to opening his own furniture installation business after graduation.
The injuries from the incident required Du to undergo 12 skin graft operations over the past 10 months. His father has also endured five rounds of surgery to provide skin for his son.
Two fingers on Du’s left hand were amputated as a result of his injuries, and he suffered damage to his respiratory tract from inhaling toxic smoke.
Currently, Du requires 24-hour care and cannot be exposed to sunlight. Over 80% of his body lacks pores, leaving him unable to sweat. He also faces difficulty standing after sitting for extended periods.
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The family has spent 2.8 million yuan (S$502,000) on Du’s treatment, plus additional daily expenses.
They have received donations totalling 2.6 million yuan (S$466,000) from the online community, but Du’s father said they cannot keep asking for money.
Du’s family took legal action against Li, the landlord and the e-bike battery manufacturer, but with little success.
Li’s family has compensated Du with only 10,000 yuan (S$1,800), claiming they were too poor to give more.
Li was detained on charges of negligence causing serious injury, an offence that carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison under Chinese law.
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Despite his traumatic experience, Du has found reasons to continue. He recently began keeping a pet dog to boost his spirits.
“My life is not just mine,” he said, acknowledging the sacrifices his parents have made.
Du is currently receiving treatment at a Chinese scar repair centre.
He hopes his skin will recover quickly and dreams of using his laptop again. He also wishes to have graduation photos taken at his college this spring.
His father’s wish is more modest: “As long as he can live, we will look after him.”
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