Diwali Horror: Desi Firecracker Guns Cause 122 Eye Injuries in Madhya Pradesh Kids – Social Media Fuels Deadly Trend

Digital Desk

A chilling wave of Diwali celebrations has turned into tragedy across Madhya Pradesh, with 122 children suffering severe eye injuries from homemade "desi firecracker guns" in just three days. These cheap, locally made devices, popularized by viral social media videos, are now a public health crisis, leaving families devastated and doctors overwhelmed. Experts warn that the chemical explosions from these guns can cause permanent blindness, urging parents to prioritize eye safety during festivals.

Carbide Guns: A Ticking Time Bomb for Children's Eyes

The incidents exploded between October 19 and 21, with Bhopal's Gandhi Medical College (GMC) reporting a staggering 36 cases by 7 PM Tuesday. Vidisha Medical College logged 12, while Sagar and Indore each saw three. Smaller clinics and government hospitals in Bhopal handled the rest, painting a grim picture of unchecked Diwali dangers.

These "desi guns," sold for Rs.100-200 in local markets, use calcium carbide mixed with water to produce explosive acetylene gas. What starts as innocent fun ends in horror: children peek into the barrel when the device misfires, triggering a blast that hurls carbide shards into their eyes. "It's not a firecracker—it's a chemical bomb," says Dr. Hemlata Yadav, Head of Ophthalmology at Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre (BMHRC). The gas scorches the cornea, iris, and retina, often leading to optic neuropathy and stem cell damage that could rob kids of vision forever.

Inhaled acetylene poses even graver risks, including brain inflammation, hypoxia, headaches, dizziness, and long-term cognitive issues like memory loss, warns GMC's Dr. Aditi Dubey.

Heartbreaking Stories: Kids' Eyesight Hangs in Balance

Seven-year-old Alzain from Bhopal's Polytechnic area became a symbol of the crisis. Playing with friends on Diwali night, his gun jammed. Curiosity led him to peer inside—then a deafening bang. "Blood poured from his left eye; we rushed him to GMC," recalls his mother, Reshma. Surgeons spent 90 minutes extracting deep-embedded carbide pieces, but his future sight remains uncertain.

Nearby, 48 hours post-injury, young Prashant from Old Bhopal stares at a "white haze" through his damaged eye, despite successful shard removal. "He can't see shapes anymore," his family laments.

In Indore, Dr. O.P. Agarwal's team treated three severe cases in 24 hours, plus two from traditional crackers. "Over 15 days, we've seen five carbide gun victims—the trend is accelerating," he notes, highlighting rapid eye swelling and potential lifelong scars.

Social Media Reels Ignite the Craze

Blame the buzz: Instagram and TikTok reels glamorize these guns as "cool Diwali hacks," drawing kids like moths to flame. "I bought one after seeing a video," admits local resident Pushpendra Thakur. Dr. Raunak Agarwal urges: If hit, rinse eyes only with clean water—never rub, as it drives particles deeper. Seek immediate medical help to avert corneal ruin or emergency surgery.

Administration Cracks Down on Deadly Devices

Madhya Pradesh authorities are responding swiftly. In Berasia, 19 guns were seized, with SDM Ravish Kumar Srivastava deploying four probe teams in hotspots like Govindpura, Jamburi Maidan, TIT, Karond Kalan, and Chhola. Patrols by officials including Patwari Surendra Yadav and Mahesh Rajan aim to curb sales.

GMC's eye ward, staffed by five residents like Dr. S.S. Kubre, operates round-the-clock. "Corneal burns are rampant—prevention is key," Kubre stresses.

As Diwali's glow fades, this outbreak underscores festival firecracker risks in India. Parents, ditch the desi guns; experts plead for safe, supervised celebrations to safeguard little ones' precious sight. With cases mounting, will social media platforms step up to curb hazardous trends?