Carbide Gun Explosion Leaves 9 Youths Partially Blind in Malda

MP, KOLKATA, OCT 27, 2025: A series of carbide gun explosions has left nine young people, including teenagers, with severe eye injuries in Malda. The incidents have sparked grave concern among ophthalmologists in the district, as these improvised "guns" are increasingly being recognized as dangerous explosives rather than harmless toys.

The explosions, which have drawn comparisons to the tragic 1984 Bhopal gas disaster that injured nearly 300 people, have caused serious harm to the victims. Doctors in Malda are currently treating five victims, including some who are under the care of well-known eye specialists like Debdas Mukhopadhyay, Maloy Sarkar, and Saurav Poddar. One case involving a child from Manikchak has been taken to Nepal for advanced treatment.

West Bengal Minister of State for Health, Chandrima Bhattacharya, addressed the growing concerns, stating, "The matter is being looked into. We will take appropriate action once the reports are submitted," during a program in Buniadpur on Saturday.

The Victims' Accounts:

One of the victims, 13-year-old Akash Biswas from Gazole, shared his frightening experience with Dr. Mukhopadhyay. Akash admitted to constructing a carbide gun at home after watching a YouTube video, using an empty plastic bottle and calcium carbide (commonly used to ripen mangoes). After igniting the device with a gas lighter, the gun exploded, severely injuring his eyes. Despite washing his eyes several times, Akash's vision did not return.

In another case, 20-year-old Kishore Biswas from Habibpur suffered severe eye injuries while attempting to extinguish a fire caused by a carbide gun explosion. “He accidentally rubbed his eyes with a hand that had come into contact with carbide,” said Dr. Saugata Poddar, who is treating him.

Another victim, Bhairab Roy, a child from Gazole, reportedly sustained 80% retinal damage due to a similar explosion.

A Growing Threat:

The alarming trend of carbide gun explosions has been facilitated by the widespread availability of information on social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube. Experts have raised significant concerns over the ease with which young people can access instructions on how to make these dangerous devices.

“These so-called guns are not toys. They are explosives,” warned ophthalmologist Amitendu Saha. He explained that calcium carbide reacts with water to produce acetylene gas, a highly flammable compound. "If this gas explodes near the eyes, permanent blindness is often inevitable," Saha added.

Health authorities in Malda are now on high alert, urging parents to be vigilant and educate their children about the deadly risks involved. "It’s not a harmless game — it’s an explosion waiting to happen," said one doctor.

The district’s health officials are closely monitoring the situation as this dangerous trend continues to threaten the safety of young people, particularly during festive seasons when such explosives are often used in celebratory events.