More than two dozen people in Moscow were partially blinded by lasers at a rave. Apparently, rain forced the Aquamarine Open Air Festival into tents where the lasers meant to be pointed at the sky were, er, pointed at the crowd. From New Scientist:
"They all have retinal burns, scarring is visible on them. Loss of vision in individual cases is as high as 80%, and regaining it is already impossible," (daily newspaper) Kommersant quoted a treating ophthalmologist as saying….
"I immediately had a spot like when you stare into the sun," attendee Dmitry told Kommersant."After three days I decided to go to the hospital. They examined me, asked if I had been at Open Air, and then put me straight in the hospital. I didn't even get to go home and get my stuff," he said.
Lasers blind ravers (New Scientist)
