How a Diwali cracker gun in India went from social media craze to blinding children

A social media-driven craze for homemade carbide guns during Diwali has led to hundreds of children across northern India suffering severe eye injuries, with many facing temporary or permanent vision loss, prompting urgent calls for regulatory action. The incident emerged as hospitals in states like Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh reported a surge in admissions following Diwali celebrations. For instance, 15-year-old Aarish from Madhya Pradesh lost vision in his left eye after a carbide gun exploded near his face, and he now worries about missing work to support his family, highlighting the broader socio-economic impacts. Carbide guns are rudimentary devices constructed from plastic pipes filled with calcium carbide, which reacts with water to produce acetylene gas, resulting in a loud blast accompanied by fiery sparks. However, the explosion is often unpredictable and delayed, leading to injuries when children peer into the pipe to check why it hasn’t detonated, causing direct exposure to the blast. The trend gained momentum through viral videos on platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube, where content creators showcased the guns as exciting ‘science experiments’ or ‘useful projects,’ often set to rap music. Priced affordably at 150–200 rupees (approximately $1.70–$2), these devices became a popular alternative to traditional firecrackers, appealing to youth seeking dramatic effects during the festival. Medical professionals have been overwhelmed by the severity of injuries, ranging from mild chemical burns to severe corneal damage requiring emergency surgery. Dr. Kavitha Kumar, head of ophthalmology at Hamidia Hospital in Bhopal, noted that while some patients may regain sight over time with treatment, others face potential permanent vision loss, with doctors expressing shock at the unprecedented nature of these chemical injuries from Diwali festivities. In response, authorities in states like Madhya Pradesh have banned the use of carbide guns as firecrackers and arrested several sellers. Calcium carbide is regulated under Indian law, but enforcement remains challenging, as the substance is commonly used illegally to artificially ripen fruit, despite containing traces of poisonous elements. Experts, including Dr. Partha Biswas, president of the All India Ophthalmological Society, are advocating for a nationwide crackdown, warning that these crude devices could be reused during other events like cricket victories or New Year celebrations, posing ongoing risks of blindness, disfigurement, and disability. They emphasize the need for stricter control over the supply chain of calcium carbide and greater accountability for manufacturers. Personal accounts underscore the human toll, such as seven-year-old Alzain, who persuaded his uncle to buy a carbide gun after watching YouTube videos and now undergoes treatment for vision loss, with his mother Afreen anxiously hoping for his recovery. These stories reflect the urgent need for public awareness and preventive measures to safeguard children from similar hazards in the future.