Diwali Carbide Gun Craze Causes Severe Eye Injuries and Blindness in India
During Diwali celebrations in northern India, homemade 'carbide guns' made from calcium carbide have caused over 300 eye injuries among children and young adults, including permanent blindness for many. These devices, popularized through social media, produce unpredictable explosive blasts that severely damage eyes. Authorities have responded with bans and arrests, but the devices continue to circulate widely.
The article describes a dangerous trend during the Diwali festival in northern India involving 'carbide guns,' rudimentary firecracker devices made with calcium carbide and plastic or tin pipes. These guns create loud, explosive blasts when calcium carbide reacts with water, producing acetylene gas. Thousands of children and young adults across multiple states—including Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi—have suffered serious eye injuries after using these devices, with many cases involving permanent vision loss. Social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube played a significant role in popularizing these devices, with viral videos encouraging their use as inexpensive but impactful firecrackers. Hospitals such as Hamidia Hospital in Bhopal have admitted dozens of victims, some requiring emergency surgery. Authorities have imposed bans on carbide guns, arrested sellers, and called for stricter control of calcium carbide, which is regulated due to its hazardous nature. Despite these efforts, the guns remain widely used during Diwali and other celebrations, posing a national health risk. Doctors warn that the devices can cause chemical and thermal burns to the eyes, and the unpredictable explosions often happen when users peek into the pipes, intensifying injuries. The article also highlights the socio-economic context, noting child labor and the lure of cheap thrills contributing to the problem. Medical professionals and officials call for urgent nationwide action to ban these guns and control calcium carbide supply to prevent further disabilities and blindness.
