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The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi reported a significant rise in eye injuries caused by firecrackers and carbide gun explosions during the 2025 Diwali festival, with 190 cases treated compared to 160 the previous year, including 18-20 injuries directly linked to homemade carbide guns. These injuries pose severe risks including permanent corneal damage and vision loss, prompting calls from medical experts for a ban on these hazardous devices.
Sharp Increase in Eye Injuries During Diwali
This Diwali, AIIMS Delhi saw a 19% increase in patients suffering from ocular trauma related to firecrackers and carbide guns, with 190 cases reported, up from 160 in 2024. Among these, carbide gun-related injuries were recorded for the first time in the capital, primarily affecting children and young males aged between 7 and 20 years. Nearly half of these patients came from the Delhi-NCR region, while the rest were from neighboring states such as Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
The spike in these injuries reflects a disturbing trend linked to the unsafe use of carbide guns—improvised explosive devices made by mixing calcium carbide with water inside a pipe to generate acetylene gas, which upon ignition causes violent blasts. These explosions can produce shrapnel-like plastic fragments and chemical fumes that cause intense chemical and thermal burns to the eye.
Medical and Expert Insights on Carbide Gun Injuries
Dr. Radhika Tandon, professor of ophthalmology at AIIMS and chief of the Dr Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, described the injuries as devastating and unprecedented in Delhi. “We treated 18 cases where corneas had turned opaque and small metal particles were embedded due to violent chemical reactions,” she said. Many injuries required immediate emergency surgery to preserve eye structure and residual vision.
Dr. Namrata Sharma, professor at the RP Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, warned that social media has popularized these homemade devices, increasing risk especially among children experimenting with such dangerous items. She emphasized that even minor missteps with carbide guns can cause irreversible corneal damage and permanent blindness.
The injuries include open-globe trauma (44% of cases), chemical burns, blunt trauma from sparks and debris, and bilateral eye injuries in 17% of cases. These injuries risk permanent visual impairment or total blindness and represent a public health challenge during festive seasons.
Context and Background: Carbide Guns and Firecracker Regulations
Carbide guns were traditionally used by farmers in southern India to scare away monkeys and birds but recently became popular as makeshift firecrackers among youth, due in part to viral social media videos demonstrating their construction and use. Unlike certified “green” firecrackers recommended by the Supreme Court for Delhi and NCR, these homemade devices are unregulated, highly unstable, and unpredictable in their explosive power.
In response to a surge in injuries, the Madhya Pradesh government imposed a statewide ban on the manufacture, sale, purchase, display, and use of carbide guns, as well as the sharing of related videos on social media to curb their spread. However, no such formal ban currently exists in Delhi-NCR, despite warnings from AIIMS and other hospitals.
Experts point to lax enforcement of firecracker regulations and easy availability of banned and uncertified firecrackers in neighboring states as factors contributing to the increase in injuries. Public awareness is also limited, with many parents unaware of the risks, as illustrated by cases like seven-year-old Kartik from Rohini, who lost vision in one eye after an explosion from a suposedly harmless carbide gun purchased for ₹300 from a cracker shop.
Public Health Implications and Practical Recommendations
The rising incidence of blast-related ocular injuries highlights the need for urgent public health interventions. Experts urge stricter enforcement of bans on hazardous firecrackers and carbide guns, improved community education on the dangers of these devices, and prompt medical attention for eye injuries during festive seasons.
Parents and guardians should be vigilant and avoid purchasing or allowing children access to unregulated explosive devices. Health professionals recommend seeking immediate care for any eye injury caused by firecrackers to maximize chances of preserving vision.
AIIMS ophthalmologists emphasize that the long-term consequences of chemical burns and injuries can include permanent corneal opacification and irreversible vision loss, underscoring the grave risk these devices pose. The injuries also impose a burden on healthcare services already stretched during festival times.
Limitations and Balanced Perspective
While AIIMS Delhi saw the first cases of carbide gun-related injuries this year, data collection is ongoing, and the full extent of the impact is yet to be determined. The hospital has reported no fatalities associated with these injuries to date.
Experts caution that the problem extends beyond just carbide guns to unsafe firecracker use in general and emphasize that certified green crackers, when used responsibly, significantly reduce the risk of harm. They note the need for continuous public education and government cooperation to balance traditional festivities with safety.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any health-related decisions or changes to your treatment plan. The information presented here is based on current research and expert opinions, which may evolve as new evidence emerges.
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