A 15-year-old boy in China suffered the amputation of one arm and nearly lost the sight in one eye due to a blast from a chemical experiment conducted at home.
The incident took place in a residential block in Guangzhou, located in southern Guangdong province, on April 6. Residents living in the same building as the boy’s family reported that they felt the ground shake when the explosion occurred, according to the Southern Metropolis News.
The teenager was promptly rushed to the hospital, while the local emergency management authority confirmed that the explosion was a result of the chemical experiment initiated by the boy.
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According to the boy’s father, who is identified by the surname Huang, both of his son’s eyes sustained serious injuries, with the skin surrounding them described as “completely destroyed”.
“My son’s right eye can hardly see anything, while his left eye still has some functionality,” Huang stated.
The boy is expected to undergo skin grafting and a cornea transplant surgery, his father revealed.
As a result of the explosion, one arm had to be amputated, and he will require an artificial limb in the future, Huang added.
The teenager is currently a second-year secondary school student. He has not yet begun studying chemistry as the curriculum introduces the subject in the third year.
However, the boy, driven by a deep curiosity and a passion for scientific exploration, has long been fascinated by chemistry.
He frequently borrowed chemistry books from the library and bought experimental equipment and materials online.
“He had conducted experiments at home before. We never expected this would lead to an accident,” his father explained.
It remains undisclosed what specific experiment he was attempting or which materials were involved.
The local residential committee announced that they are still investigating whether the explosion affected the integrity of the building’s structure.
A donation campaign, organised by the committee, has been launched within the community to support the boy’s medical treatment.
The story has generated considerable attention on the mainland Chinese internet, with many users expressing sympathy for the boy.
“An exploratory spirit deserves praise. But safety should always be your top priority,” one comment read.
“Little Scientist, do not give up. You still have a bright future ahead,” another said.
“What a poor boy! My heart goes out to this child,” another internet user remarked.
Accidents stemming from chemical experiments frequently garner attention on social media in China.
In 2023, a student in eastern Jiangsu province conducted a home experiment involving alcohol, which resulted in a fire that was swiftly extinguished by his father.
In 2022, another explosion occurred when a student in Beijing engaged in a chemical experiment at home, causing severe injuries to both his hands.
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