Official recall of Samsung Galaxy Note 7s after explosion reports

Safety regulators have ordered a formal recall of Samsung Galaxy Note 7s after dozens of devices exploded or caught fire.

Samsung voluntarily recalled the models after a spate of serious malfunctions, but the US Consumer Product Safety Commission has now demanded the return of the potentially dangerous devices.

According to Samsung, the problem affects 2.5 million phones globally, including one million in the US.

The commission is calling for the return of Note 7s sold prior to 15 September 15 2016.

Lithium-ion batteries in the phones have been overheating, leading to burns and explosions.

The South Korean tech giant said it had only been able to confirm "a few dozen instances" of phones self-combusting. 

However, the commission revealed there have been 92 reports of overheating in the US, including 26 reports of burns and 55 of property damage.

In New York a seven-year-old boy was rushed to hospital when a Note 7 caught fire in his hands, while elsewhere in the US an exploding phone was blamed for a fireball which destroyed a jeep.

Airlines across Europe, the US and Australia have banned passengers from putting the phone in checked baggage and charging the device in the air.

Koh Dong-jin, Samsung's mobile president, an investigation revealed a "tiny error" in pouch-shaped batteries in the Note 7s which increased the risk of over-heating.

Customers are being urged to keep their mobile off until they can get an exchange, but the commission has insisted customers can ask for a refund.

Elliot Kaye, chairman of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, criticised the company for attempting to handle the recall itself.

He said: "Because this product presents such a serious fire hazard, I am urging all consumers ... to take advantage of this recall right away."

Samsung's Note series is one of the company's most expensive and demand for the phone had been high.

The model debuted to rave reviews in August over its speed, new software features and estimated nine hours of battery life between charges.

The recall comes at a crucial time as rival Apple has just released its new iPhone 7.

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