What are carbide guns, that left 14 children blind in Madhya Pradesh on Diwali?
The carbide inside the gun produces acetylene gas when it encounters water and explodes when it comes into contact with a spark.
More than 60 people, mostly children aged 8 to 14, were hospitalized in Bhopal for injuries sustained after using calcium carbide guns on Diwali, an official said on Thursday. It was reported that approximately 14 children lost their eyesight and several children suffered facial burns. Carbide weapons were in trend this Diwali.
What are calcium carbide guns?
The ‘dangerous’ weapons are made using gas lighters, plastic pipe and calcium carbide. An official said the carbide in the gun produces acetylene gas when it encounters water and explodes when it comes into contact with a spark. These guns are priced between Rs 150 to Rs 200 and are sold as toys in stores.
Experts said that small shrapnel-like plastic pieces flying out of the pipe penetrated the body, causing serious injuries and damage to various parts, especially the eyes, face and skin.
Bhopal Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMHO) Manish Sharma told PTI Videos: “Carbide tube weapons are very dangerous. 60 people injured as a result of the use of these weapons are still being treated in hospitals in the state capital. All of them are safe.”
In a meeting with officials on October 18, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had directed district magistrates and police officers across the state to prevent the sale of carbide tube weapons. However, the devices were sold well in the market.
