In Bashkortostan, an 18-year-old man briefly displayed a firearm at a birthday gathering and inadvertently shot himself in the face. The report comes from the Mash Batash Telegram channel.
The incident happened on March 8 in a summer community near Ufa. Friends had gathered to celebrate a birthday and were consuming alcoholic beverages as part of the celebration.
According to witnesses, the young man stepped outside for a cigarette and began to show the firearm to others. During the moment, his finger slipped on the trigger and the gun discharged, striking him in the jaw. The bullet shattered teeth and severely damaged lips and cheek. He lost consciousness, and a friend seized the firearm. The friend attempted to discard the weapon into a snowdrift, but the gun fired again, injuring the friend in the shoulder, and the comrade then collapsed.
Medical responders arrived promptly and transported them to the hospital. Doctors at the 21st Clinical Hospital performed bullet extraction operations on both individuals, and both procedures were reported successful.
Officials are now reviewing the sequence of events at the scene to determine how the gun was being handled during the gathering. This incident highlights the dangers of firearm display and the critical importance of secure storage and responsible behavior at social events. Local authorities are urging residents to follow safety guidelines to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The report from Mash Batash serves as a stark reminder that even a moment of carelessness can have life changing consequences for multiple people in attendance.
In the aftermath, families and community leaders are calling for increased education on firearm safety and for stricter enforcement of safety regulations at private gatherings to reduce the risk of accidental shootings. Community health workers emphasize that the best approach is proactive prevention, including secure storage, clear handling rules, and immediate reporting of any firearm concerns to authorities. The incident continues to be discussed across social networks as an example of why safety measures must remain a priority in all communities.
The investigation continues as authorities gather statements from witnesses and assess the events that led to the discharge. No further details about the individuals involved have been released to protect their privacy, but the case underscores a broader public safety message about responsible gun ownership and the potential consequences of casual firearm handling. Ongoing updates will be provided as the process unfolds and as more information becomes available from official sources.