Child Dead and Hundreds Treated for Burns Across Tamil Nadu During Deepavali

One child died and 269 people received treatment for firecracker burns across Tamil Nadu during the Deepavali festival. Official numbers cover emergencies handled over a 24-hour period. The state 108 emergency ambulance network handled 16,079 calls between 7 a.m. on November 7 and 7 a.m. on November 8.

Emergency Response

Out of all distress calls, 2,475 involved accidents, 396 involved minor injuries, and 98 were specifically for burn injuries. The state put 1,283 ambulances on active duty to handle the high festive emergency load. Statewide government hospitals took in 1,387 inpatients during this window. These admissions included 956 for accidents, 321 for minor injuries or assaults, and 110 for burn injuries. The single burn-related death involved a child under the age of 15. No adult deaths from burns happened during this time.

Affected Groups

Men formed the largest group of burn victims, with 92 treated as outpatients and 76 admitted as inpatients. Children under 15 made up the second most affected group, with 48 outpatients and 17 inpatient admissions. Adult women accounted for 19 outpatients and 17 inpatients. Hospitals treated a total of 159 outpatients and 110 inpatients for burns. The Thanjavur Government Medical College Hospital handled the highest patient volume for burns, accidents, and minor injuries, treating 36 outpatients and admitting 87 inpatients. Other major centres handling heavy emergency loads included the Madurai Government Medical College Hospital, the Chengalpattu Government Medical College Hospital, the Periyar Nagar Government Hospital, and the Thoothukudi Government Medical College Hospital.

Context

Festivals like Deepavali traditionally see a sharp spike in emergency room visits due to firecracker accidents and burn injuries. Emergency networks across various states routinely scale up ambulance deployment and hospital preparedness during peak festive days to manage the heavy surge in distress calls.