A Ukrainian chemistry student killed himself by inadvertently dunking his chewing gum in an explosive substance instead of citric acid, investigators say.
The 25-year-old man died on Dec. 2 at his parents’ home in Konotop, according to media reports.
"A loud pop was heard from the student’s room," an aide to the Konotop police chief told Ukranews.com. "When his relatives entered the room they saw that the lower part of the young man’s face had been blown off."
Investigators found packets of citric acid and of an unidentified chemical on the table where the student had been working at his computer. They learned from family members he was in the habit of dipping chewing gum in citric acid before putting it in his mouth and believe he accidentally confused the substances.
Forensic experts from Kiev were expected to come to Konotop Wednesday to help identify the chemical. Police refused to send it to the capital for fear of an explosion en route.
