Diwali celebrations turn sour as over 1,600 report injuries

The Advanced Eye Centre at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) remained on high alert over the Diwali period, managing a surge in emergency cases linked to firecracker injuries. In all, more than 1,600 persons reported at city hospitals with injuries.

Doctors, nurses and support staff at the PGI were deployed on round-the-clock duty from 8 am on October 20 to 8 am on next day. During the period, 26 patients were treated for eye injuries caused by firecrackers. Half of the victims were children aged 14 or below. The youngest among the injured was three-year-old. Fourteen patients were from the Tricity, including nine from Chandigarh and five from Mohali, while 12 others came from neighbouring states — eight from Punjab, one from Haryana and the rest from Himachal Pradesh.

The most common cause of injury was bomb-type crackers (11 cases). Ten patients required surgery and were operated upon immediately, while 19 persons received closed-globe injuries, four of which were severe.

Seven patients reported at the Department of Plastic Surgery, PGI, with injuries related to firecrackers. Three had suffered hand injuries because of bursting of firecrackers in hand and one had facial injuries. Two patients with major burns are being managed in Burn ICU and HDU under Department of Plastic Surgery.

884 cases reported at GMSH-16

The Government Multi-Speciality Hospital (GMSH-16) recorded the highest number of emergency visits across Chandigarh during the Diwali festivities. Between October 20 and 21, the hospital handled 884 emergency cases, including 100 burn injuries, 40 eye-related cases and 18 road accident victims. Seven eye cases were referred to PGI.

Medical officers reported that most injuries occurred due to unsafe handling of firecrackers and lack of protective gear among children and young adults. “While most cases were minor burns, some required immediate ophthalmic and surgical intervention,” an attending doctor said.

Civil hospitals report over 800 emergency cases

Alongside GMSH-16, civil hospitals in Sectors 22, 45 and Manimajra collectively reported 821 emergency patients during the Diwali period. According to official data, 355 patients were treated at Manimajra hospital, 146 at CH-22 and 320 at CH-45, bringing the city’s overall Diwali emergency tally to 1,685 patients.

Across these hospitals, 53 eye injuries were documented, while 193 patients sustained burn injuries, primarily due to fireworks.

36 cases reported at GMCH-32

The Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH-32) recorded 36 Diwali-related emergency cases between October 20 and 21. According to hospital data, the cases began arriving early on Diwali morning and continued late into the night.

Out of the 36 patients, 17 received eye injuries and 19 suffered other forms of trauma such as burns, hand injuries and facial wounds caused by firecrackers. Eleven patients required admission for further treatment, while 24 were discharged after first-aid and observation. One patient reportedly left against medical advice.

Chandigarh