Teenager injured in robot fight

An Indian teenager struck by flying shrapnel during a robot fight has been left with serious facial fractures.

Saquib Shaikh, 19, was operating one of two robots engaged in battle at the IIT Bombay's annual Techfest on Sunday when part of his creation was sent flying and hit the, DNA India reported.

Shailesh Sansare, 32, said the projectile hit the young operator with "high momentum" and that there was a lot of blood. "He cried out in pain and his face was covered in blood," he said.

Mr Shaikh was rushed to Jagjivan Ram Hospital by his friends, fellow student at Saboo Siddik College, but was later shifted to BYL Nair Hospital where he required specialist care.

A lack of safety gear and the open arena erected on a weak wooden base is being blamed for the incident.

"It was not close to any international level arena. Even smaller colleges in the country provide better venues for such competitions," a student said.

The injured boy's father Ahmed Ali Bahadur Shaikh is alleging "grossly ignorant" negligence by festival organisers.

A Techfest spokesman could not be reached for comment.

Robowar has been one of the biggest attractions at Techfest, Asia’s biggest annual, technology festivals.

Source: DNA India
Author: Chloe Ross, Approving editor: Matthew Henry