Diwali turns tragic in Madhya Pradesh: 9 children hurt by carbide guns; 1 loses sight, dozens suffer burns

INDORE: The Diwali festivities have left a trail of injured children across Madhya Pradesh, with Indore reporting at least nine cases of injuries caused by banned carbide gun firecrackers on Friday.

One of the victims has lost sight in an eye.“Eight of the patients were treated in the out-patient department with injuries ranging from minor burns and corneal damage. One patient is serious,” Dr Preeti Rawat, head of the ophthalmology department at MGM Medical College, told TOI.The hospital initially refrained from giving information, but as the number of cases grew, details began emerging. “The patients have been approaching us since Diwali festival,” Dr Rawat said.

According to doctors, over 50 children have been brought to the hospital with firecracker burns. The true nature of their injuries only became apparent after the children were stabilised. "We initially thought it was normal firecracker injury.

But it was after the kids said they fired a 'long gun', our suspicion grew. Further discussions — and correlation with similar cases in Bhopal — confirmed the fear that it was carbide gun," a treating doctor said, requesting anonymity.

Officials revealed that carbide guns contain a mixture of calcium carbide, matchstick heads, and gunpowder. When water is added to calcium carbide, it generates acetylene gas. Upon ignition, this creates powerful explosions that produce intense heat, toxic gases, and projectiles. These devices, marketed as entertainment items, are sold openly for Rs150–Rs200, while e-commerce platforms list them between Rs500 and Rs2,000.Doctors at AIIMS-Bhopal explained that eye injuries from these devices fall into two categories – acid and alkali burns. While acid injuries are less severe due to limited penetration, alkali injuries pose a far greater threat. “This is especially evident in cases involving calcium carbide, that leads to grade 3-4 alkali burns, classified as grievous injury,” doctors said.Dr Rawat explained that assessing the full extent of the damage will take time.

"We will be able to understand the extent of the damage only when the injury to the cornea is cleared and retina can be examined," she said. Among the victims examined on Friday was 12-year-old Rahul Gokhale. Only after persistent questioning did he reveal how he sustained the corneal injury. "His cornea will heal in 2-3 days. His burns on face may take a bit more time," Dr Rawat said.However, the prognosis is grim for 19-year-old Sonu from a village in Maksi tehsil, who suffered critical burns and lost sight in his left eye.

Doctors fear he has slim chances of regaining sight.The Diwali celebrations in Madhya Pradesh turned tragic when nearly 500 people – many of them children – suffered eye injuries ranging from severe to minor after using carbide guns, also known as agri-cannons, typically employed by farmers to scare away monkeys and birds. Around 30 of the injured are said to be in serious condition and could permanently lose their sight.