More than 60 persons , most of them children aged eight to 14, were hospitalised in Bhopal after being injured by calcium carbide guns during Diwali, PTI reported.

Bhopal’s Chief Medical Health Officer Manish Sharma told PTI, “The 60 people injured by the use of these guns are still [under treatment]. All are safe.”

Some victims have lost their eyesight, while a few suffered facial burns, the news agency quoted an unidentified agency as saying.

These guns are common firecracker devices sold as toys during Diwali, priced between Rs 150 and Rs 200, NDTV reported. They are made using a gas lighter, a plastic pipe and calcium carbide. When water touches the calcium carbide, it produces acetylene gas, which explodes on contact with a spark.

Experts said the guns eject small plastic

See Full Page