MP: Over 300 suffer eye injuries after using 'carbide guns' during Diwali celebrations

Over 300 people, including children, suffered minor eye injuries during Diwali celebrations during Diwali. The people 'fired' carbide guns or agri-cannons, used mainly by farmers to scare away monkeys and birds, on Monday and Tuesday.

Most of the cases were reported from Bhopal and neighbouring districts. Further, about 50 were reported from Gwalior and Jabalpur. About 30 people are serious and could lose sight, TOI reported.

“A review meeting was called as soon as we got to know. Seven children were seriously injured in Bhopal and admitted in Hamidia hospital, some in Gwalior and Vidisha," Deputy CM Rajendra Shukla said.


According to officials, carbide guns have a mixture of calcium carbide, matchstick heads, and gunpowder. Adding water to calcium carbide generates acetylene gas and ignition creates powerful explosions that result in intense heat, noxious gases, and projectiles.

Unofficial reports suggested 300 cases of varying degrees of “alkali injury”, which can cause permanent damage, according to a TOI report.

There are two primary types of injuries to the eye, including acid and alkali, doctors at AIIMS, Bhopal, told TOI. Acid injuries tend to be less severe due to limited penetration but alkali injuries are significantly dangerous.

“Alkali eye injuries cause irreversible damage and treatment focuses on preventing further deterioration. In some cases, vision loss may occur. Of the patients admitted to AIIMS-Bhopal, only one has sustained injuries in both eyes,” said Dr Bhavana Sharma, head of department of ophthalmology at AIIMS-Bhopal.

According to Bhopal chief medical and health officer Dr Manish Sharma, there were 13 patients at AIIMS-Bhopal and 12 at Gandhi Medical College on Thursday. While one critical case was sent to AIIMS-Delhi, others were discharged. He said 15 in Bhopal underwent surgical procedure.

Over three dozen cases were reported from Bhopal while additional patients were referred from neighbouring Vidisha and Hoshangabad districts. Many are being treated in district hospitals.

Officials said carbide guns, marketed online as “PVC monkey repeller gun”, emerged as alternatives to traditional fireworks.

Despite authorities implementing curbs and widespread ban on the sale of carbide guns, the devices were priced between Rs 150 and 200 and were marketed as entertainment items in the open market. On e-commerce platforms, their price ranged from Rs 500 to Rs 2,000 on e-commerce platforms.

Police on Thursday seized at least 42 carbide guns being sold on the roadside, along with 1.5kg of calcium carbide explosives. Further, a vendor was arrested and booked under Section 288 of BNS. He was later released on bail.

(With TOI inputs)