Over 300 people, many of them children, suffered severe eye injuries in Madhya Pradesh after firing makeshift "carbide guns" during Diwali celebrations earlier this week. At least 14 children have permanently lost their eyesight, with 30 individuals overall in serious condition and facing potential blindness. The incidents occurred across the state, primarily in Bhopal, Gwalior, and Jabalpur, as families used these dangerous devices marketed as festive firecrackers.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]} ### Deadly Diwali Trend Carbide guns, also known as "agri-cannons" or "PVC monkey repeller guns," typically consist of plastic or tin pipes.^{[4][12][7][10]} Users fill them with a mixture of calcium carbide, matchstick heads, and sometimes gunpowder.^{[1][2][7][10]} Adding water to the calcium carbide creates acetylene gas, which then explodes violently when ignited by a spark.^{[1][2][4][13][14][6][7][8][10][11]} This explosion generates intense heat, noxious gases, and propels dangerous projectiles like plastic fragments and shrapnel.^{[1][2][12][13][7][8][10][11]} Farmers traditionally use these devices to scare away wild animals from their fields.^{[1][2][3][5][6][15][10][11]} However, social media platforms, including Instagram and YouTube, saw a rise in "Firecracker Gun Challenge" videos.^[5] These videos encouraged young users to recreate and ignite the devices.^[5] This trend made carbide guns popular as cheap alternatives to traditional fireworks, selling for as little as ₹150 to ₹200 in local markets. E-c^{[4][5][12][7][11]}ommerce sites also continued to offer carbide-based cannons despite restrictions. Mo^[2][11]st of the injuries occurred in Bhopal and nearby districts, with about 50 cases reported from Gwalior and Jabalpur. Hos^[1][2][11]pitals in Vidisha, Indore, Hoshangabad, Sehore, Shivpuri, Raisen, Ujjain, Datia, and Ratlam also treated victims. Man^{[2][4][12][13][16][14][6][7][8][9][10][11]}y victims were children aged between 7 and 14 years. ##^{[3][4][12][13][14][6][7][8]}# Severe Eye Injuries and Long-Term Impact Doctors describe the injuries as highly severe, ranging from minor irritation to devastating alkali burns, corneal damage, ruptured pupils, and even complete loss of an eyeball. Alk^{[1][2][5][16][6][15][17][11]}ali injuries are particularly dangerous because they cause irreversible damage, and treatment focuses on preventing further deterioration. In ^{[1][2][6][11]}some cases, victims need cornea transplants or reconstructive surgery. Dr^[13][6]. Bhavana Sharma, head of ophthalmology at AIIMS-Bhopal, emphasized that these are not toys. She called them "chemical bombs with instant combustion." Dr.^[6] Aditi Dubey, an ophthalmologist in Bhopal, noted that 20-30 percent of patients suffered severe damage and required surgery. She^[4][13] explained that the explosions cause chemical burns to one or both eyes. The^[4][13] blast also propels shards into the eyes, and the "ball of fire" can burn skin. On^[13]e 10-year-old boy lost his entire left eye after his carbide gun misfired and he peered into the nozzle. Ano^[16]ther young patient, who had already lost one eye in a previous accident, injured his healthy eye with a carbide gun. Dr.^[16] Prateek Gurjar, who performs surgeries at Sudarshan Netralaya, treated over 30 patients in three days. He ^[16]reported injuries from thermal burns to chemical corrosion of the cornea. Bh^[16]opal Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr. Manish Sharma called carbide pipe guns "very dangerous." He ^{[2][12][13][8]}confirmed that many injured individuals, especially children, remain hospitalized. Dep^{[2][12][13][8]}uty Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla said the government is monitoring the condition of the injured children to ensure they do not suffer permanent eye damage. ##^[1][2][18]# Government Action and Lingering Concerns The Madhya Pradesh government has now banned the sale, purchase, storage, and use of carbide guns across the state. Thi^{[3][5][18][9]}s prohibitory order came after the wave of injuries during Diwali. Spe^[18]cific bans were issued in districts like Bhopal, Gwalior, and Indore. Aut^[3][9]horities have directed police and district administrations to seize the devices and take legal action against violators. Ho^[5][18]wever, the ban came after the fact. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had already directed district magistrates and police to crack down on the sale of carbide guns on October 18, before Diwali. Des^[4][12][7]pite these orders, the devices remained openly available in local markets during the festive period. Som^[4][12][7]e families of injured children have blamed the administration for failing to prevent the sale of these dangerous devices. Ari^[13][8]s's father, Sarikh Khan, whose 15-year-old son was injured, stated, "Such guns should not be sold in the market in the first place." Po^[13][8]lice have since arrested individuals and seized quantities of carbide and pipe guns in districts like Bhopal and Vidisha. An ^[9]investigation will be conducted against those who manufactured and supplied such equipment to the market, with strict action promised. Th^[18]e widespread injuries highlight the severe risks associated with these makeshift explosives. Doctors continue to urge citizens, especially parents, to avoid carbide guns and seek immediate medical attention for any eye injuries to prevent irreversible blindness. Public education campaigns are crucial to prevent similar tragedies in the future. ME^[19][5][17]TA_TITLE: MP Carbide Gun Blasts Blind 14 Children, Injure 300