More than 20 injured bursting firecrackers

In Airoli’s National Burns Institute, 12 people with critical burns were admitted in the past two days. “This year, we got the maximum patients who suffered burn injuries from diyas. (Express photo by Praveen Khanna)

Over 20 people, including children, were hospitalised in Mumbai on Wednesday and Thursday after they received burn injuries in their eyes and hands while bursting firecrackers.

In Airoli’s National Burns Institute, 12 people with critical burns were admitted in the past two days. “This year, we got the maximum patients who suffered burn injuries from diyas. Until last year, we saw burn injuries due to anaar, but this year, accidental fire incidents due to diyas were common,” said Dr Sunil Keswani, medical director.

At the Navi Mumbai hospital, one patient was referred from Delhi and another from Gwalior after suffering burn injuries from diyas.

In Sion Hospital, nine people were treated for superficial burn injuries between Wednesday and Thursday. “We discharged seven of them who had minor burns. Two boys are still admitted,” said Dr Jayshree Mondkar, dean in-charge at Sion Hospital. The two admitted boys, aged 15 and 17, suffered eye injuries while bursting crackers. “They are both stable,” said Mondkar.

In JJ Hospital, five persons injured on Wednesday were admitted and discharged by Friday. Two patients were rushed to the hospital with burn injuries on Wednesday night. Vanita Rathod (35) suffered first degree burns on her right hand. “She was treated on an out-patient department basis, and discharged the same day,” said medical superintendent Dr Sanjay Surase. Naitik Chintakindi (9) was rushed with burn injuries on face the same day. He suffered burns on the face and subconjunctival haemorrhage in the right eye.

A seven-year-old girl, Rinky Puransingh, suffered an injury in her right eye, but was discharged after treatment. “There is no retina damage or loss of vision in any eye injury case. Most have minor burns,” said Surase.

Two other children suffered burns on their hands while attempting to burst a cracker. They were discharged after primary treatment.

In Dr RN Cooper Hospital, superintendent Dr R Sukhdev said cases of burns this year were minor, as people took precautions during celebrations.

“We received few minor patients with superficial burns but no hospital admission was necessary,” he said.
At KEM Hospital, no burn injury cases were admitted. “This year, the Diwali celebration seemed safer,” said dean Dr Hemant Deshmukh.