[centizen]

Yikes, how would this be possible? Short in the charger that caused AC to be put on to the cable is the only thing I can think of.

[miahi]

Of course that happened. Not all chargers are the same. The music version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioAq7PI1Uwg

[codedokode]

If the charger has no transformer (and no galvanic isolation) then you can get electric shock by touching output contacts (or metal parts of a phone) and any grounded piece of metal, for example a water pipe.

By the way, would not it be better to have lower AC voltage? For example, 75V or 60V don't look as dangerous as 230V.

[kec]

lower voltage means more transmission losses as well as heavier/more expensive cabling to deliver the same power.