Nagpur: More than 100 people were injured in the city during Diwali celebrations, with firecracker-related burns accounting for most cases. Sources said 35 people suffered eye injuries, and three patients undergoing treatment at govt hospitals are at risk of losing their vision.
Nearly 25 patients with firecracker-related eye injuries were treated over two days at Mayo Hospital, according to Dr Rahul Dagwar, head of the ophthalmology department. Among them was a 22-year-old man from Wardha who suffered severe eye damage after being struck by a stone. At Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), more than 10 patients reported eye injuries. A 12-year-old girl from Narkhed suffered serious damage after stone fragments entered her eye and is scheduled to undergo surgery. A 15-year-old girl from Chandrapur was shifted to AIIMS for further treatment. GMCH had 18 patients admitted with firecracker injuries as of Tuesday, including nine men, three women and six children. Dr Jitendra Hazarey said his hospital was treating an adult with 20% burns and two minors.
Private hospitals also reported several cases. The actual number of injured is likely to be higher, as several people also sought treatment at private hospitals. Doctors attributed many injuries to people standing too close to bursting crackers, ignoring safety precautions, or being struck by stones and other fragments propelled by explosions. An eight-year-old boy is also undergoing treatment after cracker particles entered his eye, causing internal bleeding and temporary vision loss. He later regained sight following treatment. One child suffered an injury after a pencil cracker burst in his hand.