New Delhi: As Delhi celebrated Diwali with grandeur, hospitals across the national capital witnessed a sharp rise in burn injury cases, with over 250 people seeking treatment for burns caused mainly by firecrackers and diyas.
According to official data, Safdarjung Hospital, which houses the country’s largest burn unit, recorded the highest number of cases at 129, followed by AIIMS (55 cases), GTB Hospital (37), Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital (16), and Lok Nayak Hospital (15).
Dr. Sujata Sarabhai, Head of the Department of Burns, Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery at Safdarjung Hospital, said,
“Out of 129 burn cases received during October 19–20, 111 were minor and treated on an OPD basis, while 18 patients with major burns were admitted. Of these, 118 were caused by firecrackers and 11 by diyas. Twenty-four patients were children under the age of 12.”
At AIIMS, 55 burn injury cases were reported in a 48-hour period, with 10 patients admitted to the ICU for life-threatening injuries.
Dr. Maneesh Singhal, Head of Plastic, Reconstructive and Burns Surgery, said,
“We performed surgeries on 23 patients. Among the total cases, 42 were due to firecrackers, three due to diyas, and nine from chemical burns caused by potash. The youngest victim was a four-month-old baby.”
In East Delhi, GTB Hospital reported 37 burn injury cases, including one brought-dead patient. Officials said that seven people remain admitted but none are in a critical condition.
The LNJP Hospital treated 15 burn victims, most of whom had minor injuries, while DDU Hospital reported 16 cases—three a day before Diwali and 13 on Diwali day—with all patients declared stable.
Authorities have urged citizens to follow safety protocols during festive celebrations and handle firecrackers responsibly to prevent such incidents.
