Tragic death of a child due to firecrackers in Tamil Nadu during Diwali

A child has lost their life and a total of 269 people have been treated for burn injuries in accidents caused by firecrackers during the Diwali festivities in Tamil Nadu. According to a report by The Hindu, this information has emerged through official data for tracking emergency cases.

According to the official bulletin, a total of 16,079 calls were received on the state's 108 emergency ambulance network during the 24-hour period from 7 am on 7 November to 7 am on 8 November. Out of all these emergency calls, 2,475 calls were related to accidents, 396 calls were for minor injuries, and 98 calls were specifically for burn injuries.

To cope with the increasing emergency load during the festival, 1,283 ambulances were deployed on active duty across the state. A total of 1,387 patients were admitted as inpatients to government hospitals across the state during this period. These admissions include 956 accident cases, 321 minor injury or assault cases, and 110 burn injury cases.

During this time, one death was recorded due to burns, involving a child under the age of 15. No deaths of adults due to burns were recorded during this period. In hospitals, a total of 159 patients were treated as outpatients and 110 patients as inpatients for burn cases.

The demographic data for burn injuries shows that men emerged as the largest group of victims, with 92 treated as outpatients and 76 as inpatients. Children under the age of 15 were the second most affected group, with 48 outpatient and 17 inpatient admissions recorded. Adult women accounted for 19 outpatients and 17 inpatients.

Tanjavur Government Medical College Hospital recorded the highest number of patients in burn, accident, and minor injury cases, with 36 outpatients treated and 87 patients admitted. Other major medical centres handling large volumes of emergency cases included Madurai Government Medical College Hospital, which had 6 outpatients and 84 inpatients, and Chengalpattu Government Medical College Hospital with 85 inpatients.

Additionally, 1 outpatient and 64 inpatients were recorded at Periyar Nagar Government Hospital, while 46 outpatients and 13 inpatients were treated at Tuticorin Government Medical College Hospital. These figures clarify the risks posed by the use of firecrackers during the festival and the status of medical services in Tamil Nadu.