Diwali celebrations leave 1 child dead, 269 with burn injuries in Tamil Nadu

One child died of burn injuries and 269 people received treatment for burns across Tamil Nadu during Deepavali celebrations, according to official emergency response data recorded over a 24-hour period.

The figures, covering the period between 7 am on November 7 and 7 am on November 8, showed a substantial emergency caseload across government hospitals, with accidents, minor injuries and burn-related incidents accounting for a significant number of cases.

According to the official bulletin, the state's 108 emergency ambulance network received 16,079 calls during the period, reflecting the demand for emergency medical services during the festival.

Of the total calls, 2,475 were related to accidents, 396 concerned minor injuries and 98 specifically involved burn injuries.

Authorities deployed 1,283 ambulances on active duty across Tamil Nadu to respond to emergencies and transport patients requiring medical attention.

𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗷𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀

The official data recorded one burn-related death involving a child below the age of 15. No adult fatalities from burn injuries were reported during the 24-hour monitoring period.

Government hospitals treated 269 people for burns, including 159 outpatients and 110 patients requiring hospital admission.

The figures underline the risks associated with firecracker-related injuries during Deepavali, particularly among children.

Of the 269 burn patients, 168 were men, comprising 92 outpatients and 76 inpatients.

Children below 15 years formed the second-largest affected group, with 65 receiving treatment. Of these, 48 were treated as outpatients, while 17 required hospitalisation.

Among adult women, 36 burn injuries were recorded, including 19 outpatient cases and 17 inpatient admissions.

The data indicated that men accounted for the majority of burn-related cases, while children also represented a substantial proportion of those requiring medical attention.

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟭,𝟯𝟬𝟬 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱

Government hospitals across Tamil Nadu recorded 1,387 inpatient admissions during the 24-hour period.

Accident-related cases accounted for the largest share, with 956 admissions.

Another 321 people were admitted for minor injuries or assault-related incidents, while 110 required hospitalisation for burns.

The figures indicate that road accidents and other injuries accounted for a considerably larger share of hospital admissions than burn-related incidents.

Emergency medical services remained active throughout the festive period, with the ambulance network handling calls involving accidents, injuries and other medical emergencies.

The deployment of 1,283 ambulances was intended to ensure that patients could be transported promptly to hospitals and emergency treatment facilities.

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗷𝗮𝘃𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱

Among major government medical institutions, Thanjavur Government Medical College Hospital recorded the highest combined patient volume for burns, accidents and minor injuries.

The hospital treated 36 outpatients and admitted 87 inpatients during the monitoring period.

Madurai Government Medical College Hospital also handled a substantial number of emergency cases, treating six outpatients and admitting 84 patients.

Chengalpattu Government Medical College Hospital recorded 85 inpatient admissions, placing it among the institutions handling a high volume of emergencies.

Periyar Nagar Government Hospital reported one outpatient and 64 inpatient admissions.

Meanwhile, Thoothukudi Government Medical College Hospital treated 46 outpatients and admitted 13 patients.

These figures cover burns, accidents and minor injuries collectively and do not represent firecracker-related cases alone.

𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁

The emergency response data highlights the pressure on healthcare services during Deepavali, when firecracker use and increased public movement can lead to a rise in accidents and injuries.

Burn injuries may range from superficial wounds requiring outpatient treatment to more serious cases requiring admission and specialised medical care.

Children are particularly vulnerable to firecracker-related accidents, including injuries caused by handling fireworks or standing close to them when they are ignited.

The official bulletin provides a statewide account of emergency calls, hospital admissions and burn injuries during the specified 24-hour period.

While most burn patients survived, the death of a child underscores the potential consequences of firecracker-related accidents.

The figures also highlight the scale of the state's emergency medical response, with government hospitals and ambulance services managing thousands of calls and admissions during the festivities.