Mumbai Reports 40 Diwali Burn Injury Cases During Festivity

Nearly 40 people in Mumbai suffered firecracker-related burns during Diwali celebrations. The cases were reported across Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)-run hospitals. The injuries have mostly affected the hands and face. 

According to data from the civic body, Cooper Hospital reported two cases, Nair Hospital saw six, Sion Hospital reported 13, KEM Hospital recorded 16. 

Most of those injured were young people and children, with accidents mainly resulting from improper firecracker handling or accidental contact. As per reports, no major burn related cases were reported by Sunday night, November 3.

Most patients were reportedly treated in emergency departments or as outpatients. They received care and were sent home with instructions for follow-up treatment. Only a few patients needed to be admitted. 

Two patients each at KEM and Sion hospitals required closer observation, while Nair Hospital admitted one patient. The youngest patients were only 3 years old. All admitted patients were reported stable and were receiving the necessary care.

Before the festival, hospitals across Mumbai had prepared for an increase in burn cases expected during Diwali. They had raised their resources for burn care, including stocking up on bandages, saline solutions, and pain relief medication. 

Burn units also set up special facilities to isolate patients and minimise infection risks. Teams consisting of plastic surgeons, emergency doctors, and specially trained nurses were available to manage stabilisations and perform urgent surgeries if required.

In addition to the hospital cases, the fire service reported 69 fire-related calls linked to firecracker incidents. Of these, 55 were from suburban areas, while 14 were from within Mumbai city. November 1st saw the highest number of fire-related incidents, with 25 calls recorded on that day alone.

Even before Diwali festivities began, the National Burns Centre (NBC) in Airoli had received two burn cases related to the festival. NBC typically treats at least 25 Diwali-related burn cases each year.