Off the wire
• Gold up on inflation data  • Portugal asks Iraq to decide on ambassadors' sons diplomatic immunity until end of next week  • Nigeria urged to embrace best economic policies  • Over 300,000 children under five died globally from diarrhoeal diseases in 2015: UNICEF  • UN Security Council voices "deep concern" over political situation in Burundi  • Rwanda unveils first commercial drone medical deliveries  • Security summit kicks off in Yerevan  • IAEA mission welcomes clear system of nuclear safety in Belarus  • Oil prices fall amid rising U.S. rigs, stronger dollar  • AU Commission chairperson welcomes Chibok girls release  
You are here: 　 Home

U.S. bans all Samsung Galaxy Note7 phones from airplanes

Xinhua, October 15, 2016 Adjust font size:

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced Friday it is banning all Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphone devices from air transportation in the United States.

The DOT said in an emergency order that individuals who own or possess a Samsung Galaxy Note7 device may not transport the device on their person, in carry-on baggage, or in checked baggage on flights to, from, or within the United States.

The phones also cannot be shipped as air cargo, it said, noting anyone violating the ban may be subject to criminal prosecution in addition to fines.

"We recognize that banning these phones from airlines will inconvenience some passengers, but the safety of all those aboard an aircraft must take priority," Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a statement.

"We are taking this additional step because even one fire incident inflight poses a high risk of severe personal injury and puts many lives at risk."

On Tuesday, Samsung suspended the manufacture and sale of the Samsung Galaxy Note7 device.

Elliot Kaye, chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warned that the fire hazard with the original Note7 and with the replacement Note7 is "simply too great."

"I would like to remind consumers once again to take advantage of the remedies offered, including a full refund," Kaye said. "It's the right thing to do and the safest thing to do." Enditem