New Delhi: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, recorded 42 patients with burn injuries during the Diwali period, including 11 who were seriously hurt, according to figures released by the hospital on Monday.
Dr Maneesh Singhal, head of AIIMS' department of plastic, reconstructive and burns surgery, said 31 of the 42 patients had sustained minor burns.
Of the 11 seriously injured patients, four are in the intensive care unit and seven are being treated in general wards. Eight patients remain admitted, including one in serious condition, while five have undergone surgery so far.
Children accounted for a significant share of the cases. Six patients were below the age of 10, including an eight-year-old who suffered burns over 45 per cent of the body and remains critical. Twelve patients were aged between 10 and 18, while 22 were in the 18-60 age group. One patient was above 60.
Firecrackers caused 37 of the 42 cases, while two involved potash, including a 13-year-old among those injured. The hospital's figures covered burns caused by firecrackers and other fire-related incidents during the festival. Doctors said most injuries involved the hands, highlighting the risks of handling firecrackers at close range.
Meanwhile, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital recorded 135 Diwali-related burn cases at its Burns Emergency Department on November 7 and 8, officials said on Monday.
Firecrackers accounted for 129 cases, while six involved burns from diyas. Thirty-five children with firecracker injuries were treated as outpatients, while one child required admission for further care.
The hospital had set aside 20 beds ahead of Diwali to handle a possible rise in burn cases. Officials said seven patients with Diwali-related burn injuries were currently admitted.
Separately, a 10-year-old boy died in Delhi's Narela area on Sunday night after a firecracker exploded in his hand while he was lighting it outside his home, police said. The incident took place during Diwali celebrations on November 8.
The figures from AIIMS and Safdarjung Hospital represent separate counts covering different periods. Together, they highlight the burden of firecracker-related injuries on Delhi's specialised burn units and emergency departments during the festival.
With inputs from media reports