Cases of firecracker injuries rise to 150 in Bengaluru

BENGALURU: The cases of injuries due to firecrackers during Deepavali celebrations in the city has risen 150 with 37 patients admitted to Minto Eye Hospital and 90 at Narayana Nethralaya.

The number of people injured in firecracker-related incidents has increased to over 150. Many have been admitted to various eye hospitals across the city.

At Minto Eye Hospital, four new cases were reported since Wednesday night night, bringing the total to 37. Among them, nine children were injured while bursting crackers.

A nine-year-old girl from Doddaballapur was injured while lighting crackers with friends. A 15-year-old boy from Arasikere lost his eyesight due to a bomb cracker blast. According to the boy’s mother, he touched a dud cracker, which exploded, causing severe injuries.

At Narayana Nethralaya, the number of patients with firecracker injuries has risen to 93. Dr Shashidhar Swamy of Minto Hospital said that two people have lost their eyesight completely, and nine are undergoing treatment.

Between October 19 and October 23, a total of 93 patients were treated, with 56 being children (under 18 years old), 37 adults, and the cases include 61 self-inflicted injuries and 32 injuries from bystanders. 86 received medical treatment, and seven required surgery. The injuries ranged from corneal abrasions, corneal tears, epithelial defects, to lens dislocation in severe cases.