A Chinese man was killed at the Guangzhou computer shop where he worked when the mobile phone in his pocket exploded, severing a major artery.

According to local Chinese daily Shin Min Daily News, the rare accident happened on Friday (30 January) when the mobile phone the victim put in his chest pocket exploded, severing an artery in his neck and killing him on the spot.

The man who is in his twenties, is an employee at the computer store and was carrying out his duties when the accident happened.

An employee working at the same store told the Chinese media that the incident happened at about 7.30pm. The employee, who was not named in the report, said that she heard a loud sound and saw her colleague lying on the floor of the shop in a pool of blood.

Shin Min reported that the employee also told the Chinese media that the victim had recently changed the batteries in his mobile phone.

It was believed that the victim had just finished charging his mobile phone and put the device into his pocket when the phone exploded.

Chinese authorities have yet to determine the make and model of the phone and its battery.